NFL Notes: Cowboys, Lions, Redskins, & Vikings

Cowboys

Todd Archer of ESPN takes a look at the Cowboys running back situation as they prepare for training camp.

Archer has DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar as the only “locks” to make the team. However, Archer believes Joseph Randle and Tyler Clutts are “virtual locks” to make the cut.

That leaves Ryan Williams, Ben Malena, and J.C. Copeland possibly on the outside looking in.

According to Archer, Williams should be able to push Randle for the No. 3 job in training camp, but he’ll obviously need to prove that he is 100 percent and ready to contribute after dealing with a number of injuries during his time in Arizona.

Lions

• CBs Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood are likely to compete for one roster spot in training camp. (Michael Rothstein)
• Seventh-round pick K Nate Freese appears to be the favorite to win the Lions kicking job over Giorgio Tavecchio. (Michael Rothstein)

Redskins

Mike Jones of the Washington Post wonders whether the Redskin’ backfield is too crowded for Evan Royster to earn a roster spot this season.

Washington will enter training camp with Alfred Morris atop their depth chart and the rest of the running backs likely competing for two or three roster spots.

The competition will include: Royster, Roy Helu Jr., Chris Thompson, and rookies Lache Seastrunk, and Silas Redd.

Jones mentions that the one thing working against Royster is that he hasn’t shown that can do any one thing better than some of the other players currently on the Redskins’ roster.

Morris offers power while Helu has been the team’s most reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield. Jones mentions that Seastrunk and Redd both have the ability to be a “home-run threat.”

Royster, 26, is entering the final year of his contract and will make $645,000 for the 2014 season.

Last year, he appeared in 10 games, but was limited to playing just nine total snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Vikings

Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes that unless rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater is “clearly the best of the Vikings’ quarterbacks,” it’s likely that veteran Matt Cassel will open the season as the team’s starting quarterback.

Goessling points out that Bridgewater was impressive during spring workouts, but they may not want to push him in his first year.

It sounds like the quarterback competition will be limited to Cassel and Bridgewater as Christian Ponder saw a limited number of snaps during OTAs and minicamp.