Cowboys coach doesn't hold back discussing player always considered roster cut candidate

Earlier in the offseason, I joked on Twitter/X: "This is the time of the year where I cry because I can't make sense of how to get C.J. Goodwin in my Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection even though I know he'll make it."

Diehard Cowboys fans and media members who go through such projections every year know exactly what I mean. Every offseason it seems like there are enough young, promising players on the team that could push the veteran off of the roster since he doesn't have a role at his position, cornerback.

Since his arrival at Dallas in 2018, Goodwin has logged 1,955 special teams snaps while playing only 58 defensive plays per Pro Football Reference, most of which he got because of an injury-plagued room in 2019 and a very specific gameplan to spy on Jalen Hurts back in 2020. He's a true special teamer, a dying breed in the NFL.

Goodwin naturally made my 53-man roster projection as I explained he deserved that spot until proven otherwise. Based on Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel's latest comments, it seems like I'll get that prediction right.

When asked about the veteran specialist, Fassel didn't hold back his praise and stance on Goodwin, who suffered a season-ending injury early last season: 

"You know somebody's good when they're playing, but you really know how good somebody is when they're not," Fassel candidly told reporters ahead of OTAs. "We really felt his absence last year. Not only Monday through Saturday in the meeting room, but on Sunday. I felt like we weren't as good on punt return because of him. Obviously, he's not returning, but he's such a critical guy taking care of the gunners on the opponent that I felt like we didn't maybe get the return started or as successful as we could have because he's so good at it. There are so many little things that come into play when you're missing a guy like that."

Fassel's strong praise for Goodwin seemingly erases all doubts about his status ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Barring any injury, the special teams ace is looking like he's got a roster spot secured.

Even still, Fassel sees the positive in a negative situation and understands how C.J. missing most of the season last year will help this year's Cowboys:

"But then you have Sam Williams get opportunities, Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks get opportunities. So in one way, you miss (Goodwin), but in another way, we got to see a lot more work from young guys to see if they can do it or not. We felt like they could, and so it opens up some more opportunities for some guys. But it's good to have him back for sure."

Goodwin tore his pectoral muscle in the Cowboys' Week 5 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers in early October and he's expected to be ready to go for the offseason. Per Fassel, Goodwin claims he's at 100%.

"He's had a great rehab and he's in here every day," said Fassel. "You guys know how he is, he's the truest of true pros. I feel like he's back and he doesn't ever say a word about it."