IRVING, Texas --It's not often the Cowboys keep six receivers on their initial 53-man roster, and it's too early to tell what they'll do -- and who they might add -- between now and final cuts on Sept. 2.
Five is usually the number, and that would leave only three open spots behind starters Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Behind them, there's a glut of young wideouts pushing for jobs, most notably the No. 3 postion.
What about their total number? Could it swell to six for only the second time since 2006?
It's worth discussion, because so far rookie free agents like Cole Beasley and Tim Benford are making a very early impression.
In 2006, the Cowboys didn't want to risk undrafted rookies Austin and Sam Hurd getting claimed off waivers before they could stick both on the practice squad. Maybe Beasley or Benford or another surprise rookie wideout makes their decisions tougher. Beasley has already gotten looks both inside and outside and on kick returns -- a sign the team is seeing how much he can handle to earn a job.
Or, maybe the Cowboys decide to keep four from this group of veterans, draft picks and first-year veterans: Andre Holmes (in my mind, the leading candidate at No. 3); Kevin Ogletree; Dwayne Harris; Raymond Radway and fifth-rounder Danny Coale, who's recovering from foot surgery.
Or, maybe there will be another veteran like Laurent Robinson available in free agency later this summer. Right now, the Cowboys are content to see what these youngsters can do.
They've got a lot of quantity there. Soon enough we'll know if there's enough quality to go heavy at the position.
