Shiyazh Pete is not competing for a Dallas Cowboys roster spot because his name carries significant draft pedigree. He went undrafted in 2026. He has a different argument.
Pete brings rare size, experience at multiple offensive line positions and a reputation for maximizing every opportunity. With Dallas preparing to cut its roster to 53 players, those traits could give the rookie a legitimate chance to stick around.
Pete brings an unusual size to the offensive line
At roughly 6-foot-9 and more than 300 pounds, Pete stands out physically. That kind of frame is difficult to manufacture.
NFL teams can teach technique, improve footwork and develop hand placement, but they cannot teach a player to become 6-foot-9.
Pete’s size gives Dallas an intriguing developmental prospect, particularly if the coaching staff believes it can turn his physical tools into consistent NFL-level blocking. But size alone will not save an undrafted rookie.
RELATED COWBOYS NEWS
Pete’s versatility makes the case stronger
The more important part of Pete’s preseason opportunity may be where he can play. Pete spent his college career primarily at left tackle, but the Cowboys have also worked him at guard during training camp.
That transition gives Dallas another reason to consider him when final roster decisions are made. An offensive lineman capable of handling both tackle and guard responsibilities can provide valuable depth on game day.
Pete played six offensive snaps against Arizona, with his work coming late in Dallas’ 34-13 victory. He shared reserve interior-line duty with Dylan Wingfield while Cooper Glaser also received fourth-quarter snaps.
The workload was limited, but the Cowboys are evaluating more than a single box score.
The Cowboys have one preseason game remaining against the New Orleans Saints before the roster must be trimmed to 53 players. That final game could be particularly important for players such as Pete because there are limited opportunities left to separate themselves from the competition.
He does not need to convince Dallas that he is already a finished NFL starter. That is not the realistic standard for an undrafted rookie. He needs to convince the coaching staff that his physical tools, versatility and development potential make him more valuable than another fringe roster candidate.
Pete has a case, but nothing is guaranteed
The brutal reality is that being an intriguing prospect does not guarantee a roster spot. The Cowboys will have to weigh Pete against other offensive linemen while considering roster numbers, positional depth and special teams value. His size can get him noticed, but it cannot compensate for mistakes once the competition becomes serious. Still, Pete has something worth betting on.
A 6-foot-9 lineman who has already played tackle and guard, survived multiple stages of his college career and earned praise for his work ethic is exactly the type of developmental player a team can justify keeping around.
The final preseason game will provide another test. Pete has already earned the opportunity. Now he has to prove he deserves the roster spot.
