Soccer’s a tricky enterprise, the place a man can go from having top-of-the-line performs of the yr to not even making the workforce the next season. That’s a destiny security Alijah Clark, the following participant in our Dallas Cowboys roster rundown collection, hopes to keep away from in 2026.
Years in NFL: 1Acquired by: UDFA (2025)
Considered one of Dallas’ undrafted free brokers final yr, Clark had a powerful camp and made a case for the underside of the roster with each security and nickel nook enchantment. Nevertheless, he was in the end waived at remaining cuts and added to the apply squad. A couple of month later, Clark was signed to the roster and performed in 11 video games, even beginning one throughout an injury-riddled Week 8 in Denver. Exterior of the Broncos recreation, practically all of Clark’s taking part in time got here on particular groups.
It was in punt protection that Clark made one of many Cowboys’ finest performs of 2025, and in an enormous comeback win over the Eagles. From the gunner place, Clark bought bullied down the sphere by the Philadelphia blocker. However regardless of stumbling and even hitting the bottom, Clark saved combating his method again up and in direction of the ball. He lastly bought there and delivered a tough hit to Eagles’ WR Xavier Gipson, knocking the ball unfastened for a Cowboys fumble restoration. Clark earned nationwide reward for his relentless hustle on the play.
Years Left: 12026 Cap Hit: $1 million
Clark returns as a roster spot competitor with a yr left on his minimal contract. If he sticks this season, he can be an unique rights free agent in 2027, having simply two accrued seasons. That will give Dallas contractual management over Clark for a minimum of yet another yr, which might assist him stick on the roster now.
Function: Backup safetyRoster Probability: 10%
What received’t assist Clark going ahead is the Cowboys’ overhauled security room. Whereas Donovan Wilson and Juanyeh Thomas are gone, neither of their spots seems to be Clark’s now. Not solely did Dallas signal veterans Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, however then they spent the Eleventh-overall choose on Caleb Downs. With Malik Hooker and Markquese Bell nonetheless round, the numbers recreation doesn’t appear to be going Clark’s method.
Nonetheless, he has a shot. With all the new safeties Dallas has added, to not point out Christian Parker’s arrival and powerful emotions about defensive backs, Hooker and Bell aren’t assured something. That’s very true for the 30-year-old Hooker, who doesn’t offer you any particular groups worth. Whereas he should still have a key function when Caleb Downs performs nickel nook, who’s to say that Locke, Bell, or another person doesn’t work their method into consideration and make Hooker expendable? If the veteran goes, that might create a spot for Clark on the backside of the depth chart.
Additionally, as of now, Dallas hasn’t re-signed longtime specialist C.J. Goodwin. Since 2019, Goodwin has held down a roster spot solely for his particular groups work. However as he’s now 36, Goodwin’s run could lastly be over. And if they’ve a roster spot for an additional particular groups favourite who most likely provides much more worth for secondary depth, Clark may very well be a candidate.
Sure, these are lengthy pictures. However they’re a minimum of sufficient to offer Alijah Clark hope, and also you by no means know what accidents or different developments might deliver over the following few months. However as Goodwin has proved for the final seven seasons, particular groups play can hold you employed. If Clark can turn into considered one of Nick Sorensen’s favourite guys, it is perhaps sufficient to get him by remaining cuts.
Try our earlier participant profiles from this collection:
