Clarence Hill’s five Dallas Cowboys who are on the roster bubble

Which Cowboys players need to impress the coaching staff during the preseason games, if they want to prolong their careers in Dallas?

The Star-Telegram has an eye on these five:

▪ LB Malik Jefferson: A former third-round pick of the Bengals, Jefferson is with his fourth team and was hoping to find a home with his hometown team. It has been a humbling experience for the former five-star prospect from Mesquite who became an All-Big 12 defender at Texas. He has yet to flash at training camp. And he is now nursing an arm injury.

▪ WR T.J. Vasher: The Cowboys need at receiver couldn’t be greater. Rookies Dennis Houston and Jalen Tolbert and second-year veteran Simi Fehoko are all running ahead of Vasher and behind CeeDee Lamb and Noah Brown. The team will certainly look for veteran help via the waiver wire. Vasher had one highlight catch in camp but has largely been hit or miss. He must make plays during preseason and find a role on special teams.

▪ C Matt Farniok: Farniok was supposed to battle Tyler Biadiasz for the starting spot at center. He has provided no challenge and has the coaching staff openly wondering what the team would do if they lost Biadasz. The urgency of the preseason games is now for Farniok to show something.

▪ SS Israel Mukuamu: Mukuama has done everything right in terms of making a second-year jump. He has gained weight and added muscle. But he is fighting a numbers game and the emergence of undrafted rookie Markquese Bell.

▪ CB Kelvin Joseph: Joseph was a disappointment on and off the field as a second-round pick as a rookie in 2021. He was involved in a murder investigation in the off season and so far has proved worth the trouble. He could still face NFL discipline. Joseph has remained the third cornerback because of his potential and athleticism. But he needs to start making plays.