Breaking: Who could be a salary cap case for Cowboys once they cut prospects on June 1st….

As the NFL calendar flips into June, all eyes turn toward how teams manage their rosters — and more importantly, their salary caps. For the Dallas Cowboys, June 1 is a crucial pivot point. It marks a window where the franchise can ease financial burdens through post-June 1 designations, creating cap space that could be used to address key needs before training camp.

The Cowboys already face a challenging financial picture. With extensions looming for cornerstone players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, every dollar counts. The team is projected to gain cap relief from earlier post-June 1 designations — notably from releasing WR Michael Gallup — but that relief may come with difficult decisions.

Here’s a look at several potential salary cap casualties the Cowboys could part with following June 1 roster cuts:

1. Jourdan Lewis – CB

• Cap Hit: $5.8 million
• Dead Cap (Post-June 1): $1.1 million
• Cap Savings: ~$4.7 million

The veteran corner has been solid but not irreplaceable, especially with the emergence of younger talent like DaRon Bland and the return of Trevon Diggs. With Lewis entering the final year of his deal, the Cowboys could decide to free up almost $5 million in space while still maintaining decent secondary depth.

2. Neville Gallimore – DT

• Cap Hit: $2.8 million
• Dead Cap (Post-June 1): ~$500K
• Cap Savings: ~$2.3 million

Gallimore has shown flashes but hasn’t consistently lived up to expectations. With the addition of first-round pick Byron Murphy II and the continued development of Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith, Gallimore may be deemed expendable — especially if his roster spot could be taken by a younger, cheaper rotational player.

3. Malik Hooker – S

• Cap Hit: $7 million
• Dead Cap (Post-June 1): ~$2 million
• Cap Savings: ~$5 million

This would be a bold move. Hooker has played well when healthy, but with Donovan Wilson and Israel Mukuamu in the mix, Dallas could explore reallocating that $5 million. A post-June 1 release would allow the team to spread the dead money and gain much-needed cap room.

4. Dorance Armstrong – DE

• Cap Hit: $6 million
• Dead Cap (Post-June 1): ~$1.8 million
• Cap Savings: ~$4.2 million

A high-effort rotational edge rusher, Armstrong’s value is tied to his production versus his cost. If the Cowboys believe Sam Williams is ready to take on a bigger role, Armstrong could be a surprise cap casualty — especially if Dallas is looking to make a splash signing elsewhere.

5. Deuce Vaughn – RB

• Cap Hit: ~$1 million
• Dead Cap: Minimal

While not a major cap-saving move, Vaughn could be cut to make room for a veteran addition at running back, particularly if Ezekiel Elliott’s return or a mid-summer signing is in play. Vaughn’s role diminished late last season, and questions remain about his viability in a full-time offensive role.

Bottom Line

The Cowboys are entering a critical window. With some roster flexibility and a handful of potential veteran cap casualties, they could create upward of $10–15 million in space after June 1. That could go a long way in locking in their young stars long-term — or positioning themselves to pounce on a late free agent.

Stay tuned as Dallas prepares to trim its roster and reshape its cap sheet for a serious 2025 campaign push.