The Dallas Cowboys made a swift and surprising roster adjustment on Monday, signing undrafted rookie offensive lineman D.J. Wingfield while designating fellow undrafted free agent Sidney Fugar for release. The transaction, first reported by ESPN’s Todd Archer, underscores the razor-thin margins and rapid decision-making that define NFL roster building in the post-draft period.
Fugar, a massive 6’5, 343-pound guard, had been added to the Cowboys’ 90-man roster less than a week earlier. His quick exit highlights how aggressively Dallas is shaping its offensive line depth chart even before the start of organized team activities. With Wingfield now on board and listed as a reserve at center, the team created space by waiving Fugar, leaving one open spot on the 91-man roster after accounting for international player Dayo Odeleye.
A Journeyman’s Brief Stay in Dallas
Fugar’s college path was anything but linear, reflecting both perseverance and adaptability across three programs. He began his career at Western Illinois as a redshirt freshman, earning immediate starting reps at left tackle. A transfer to South Carolina followed, where the big man contributed on both sides of the offensive line as a redshirt sophomore. He appeared in 10 games and earned four starts during that stint.
His final stop came at Baylor, where Fugar enjoyed his most productive stretch. Over two seasons, he played in 24 games and started 15. In his redshirt junior campaign, he began as a backup left guard before shifting outside to starting left tackle, demonstrating positional versatility that likely appealed to the Cowboys during the initial undrafted free agent signing period.
Despite the physical tools and experience, Fugar’s time with Dallas lasted just days. The addition of Wingfield — another undrafted prospect viewed as a potential center — evidently tipped the scales. In the highly competitive world of NFL offensive line evaluation, opportunities can vanish as quickly as they appear, particularly on a Cowboys team known for its meticulous roster management under head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the front office.
What It Means for Dallas
This move is less about Fugar’s shortcomings and more about the team’s strategic priorities. By prioritizing Wingfield’s skill set at the center position, Dallas is signaling a desire for specific traits and developmental upside along the interior line. The fact that they were willing to part ways with a player of Fugar’s size and starting experience so rapidly suggests the coaching staff sees clearer long-term value in the newcomer.
For Fugar, the waiver opens the door to other opportunities. With his proven starting experience at multiple Power conference programs and elite size, he remains an intriguing prospect for teams seeking developmental depth or emergency depth on the offensive line.
As the Cowboys continue fine-tuning their roster ahead of the 2026 season, Monday’s transaction serves as an early reminder: in the NFL, even a massive 343-pound presence can be here today and gone within a week. The depth chart is fluid, and Dallas is moving decisively to mold it in their vision.
