The Cowboys rookie the team had to cut but will probably end up regretting it

One of the most notable roster cuts made by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday was that of undrafted rookie Julius Wood out of East Carolina. Now, the team might come to regret it as he was claimed in waivers by the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday.

The talented young safety more than did his part in training camp and during the preseason, consistently making plays in coverage but most often, by spraying big hits all over the field on opposing players.

Unfortunately for the rookie, safety might be the deepest position group on the Cowboys roster, with Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell being starting-caliber backups to Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker.

There's a numbers game to every 53-man roster and carrying five safeties was a luxury the Cowboys couldn't afford unless they agreed to go short at other positions. As tough as the cut was to make, chances are Wood would've been a healthy scratch for the majority of the season had he stayed on board the roster.

There's a high likelihood Wood has an easier path to playing time in Tennessee, where Quandre Diggs and Amani Hooker are slated to start.

The news is particularly reminiscent of last year's, when the Cowboys lost talented UDFA edge rusher Isaiah Land to waivers when the Indianapolis Colts claimed him. Just like Wood, Land had impressed everyone but failed to survive cuts due to the team's loaded defensive end room.

One year later, that depth took a big hit as Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. left in free agency and Sam Williams suffered a season-ending injury in camp. Right now, with mediocre depth at DE, the Cowboys would surely love to have Land on their team, who is on the Colts' 53-man roster after proving he can contribute.

Bell and Thomas, the Cowboys' top backups at safety, will hit free agency in 2025 and it'll be a challenge to keep them considering the team might not offer that much playing time with starters Wilson and Hooker still under contract.

Just like with Land last year, the Cowboys could very well end up regretting moving on from Wood after failing to sign him to the practice squad.

Cornerback Eric Scott was also claimed in waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs after the Cowboys drafted him in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Related: Meet the Dallas Cowboys' initial 53-man roster: Coaching staff made difficult choices during cuts