Dallas Cowboys: 3 Players to let walk, cut and re-sign in 2019

Let him walk: Cole Beasley, Wide Receiver

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who thought the Dallas Cowboys made a smart move when they traded fan-favorite receiver Ryan Switzer to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Jihad Ward. It wasn’t popular when they did it, and it became less so when Ward didn’t make the Cowboys final roster.

Switzer didn’t make it in Oakland either, as they traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it looks like both Dallas and Oakland were wrong to give up. Switzer has been a solid slot option in Pittsburgh despite them being crowded with pass catchers. More importantly, he’s continued to prove he’s a solid punt returner — oh and he’s only 24-years old and improving as a player.

Now looking ahead to 2019, they likely could have used Switzer as a cheaper alternative to Cole Beasley. Another fan favorite, Beasley has been under 10-yards per reception for two seasons in a row and is averaging about half as many yards as a punt returner than Switzer. That’s without even mentioning the pay.

In 2018, Beasley counted as $4.25 million against the salary cap (according to Over The Cap). He will also be turning 30 next year. Dallas will need to find someone to replace Beasley as their primary returner and with Amari Cooper a potential slot weapon — and some other young options at receiver like Michael Gallup — it may be time to say goodbye to Beasley.