NFL Nation

          Cowboys, Dez Bryant unlikely to reach new deal by July 15 deadline

          IRVING, Texas -- Part 1 of the Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag is ready.

          In it we discuss:

          Dez Bryant's deal

          Carrying four running backs

          Rolando McClain

          Cole Beasley

          Depth

          Away we go:

          @toddarcher: I've been fairly pessimistic about a deal between the Cowboys and Bryant the entire offseason and there has been nothing lately that has led me to change my mind. I did find it interesting that Stephen Jones said they would try to make a push for a deal before the deadline, but will that push by a light tap on the door or will they try to break the thing down? The Cowboys are content with paying Bryant the $12.823 million due under the franchise tag. It would help their cap situation if they had Bryant under a long-term deal but it's not a requirement. I wrote about this during the season. I believe the Cowboys have altered the way they do business. If they don't get what they deem "team friendly" deals, they won't do a deal. The only exception will be the quarterback. As of writing this, not only do I think Bryant will not have a long-term deal by July 15, I think he will be tagged again next year. The Cowboys don't want to lose Bryant at all, but if they don't have to fork over millions and millions, they won't. I think they've done deals in the past they knew were not the best but felt like the right thing to do at the time.

          @toddarcher: I'm going to do a roster projection after next week's minicamp and I don't think I will have four tailbacks for the same reason why the Cowboys didn't carry four last season. There's just not enough snaps to go around and carrying four on the gameday roster doesn't have much value, in my opinion. Lance Dunbar had a special teams' role last season and I would expect that to continue. Joseph Randle even improved as a special teamer last season. As of today, I still think Ryan Williams is the fourth runner behind Randle, Darren McFadden and Dunbar. The fact that he has not been able to practice much with a sore knee doesn't help his chances but it's better to be cautious now so he can be 100 percent for training camp.

          @toddarcher: I don't think I would put this on motivation issues. Honestly, I don't know what I would put it on. McClain has been a difficult guy to figure out since he got to the Cowboys and I'm sure those in Oakland and Baltimore would say the same thing. If he feels more comfortable with doing his rehab in Alabama, I'm OK with it. He has not missed anything mandatory in the offseason, but I did find it curious Jason Garrett couldn't definitively say whether McClain would be at next week's mandatory minicamp. Perhaps the coach and player have some agreement in place already, but I know I'd rather have a guy around his teammates and rehabbing with my medical people as much as possible just so I have a complete picture of what's going on.

          @toddarcher: Why wouldn't they? Beasley's role remains the same as last season when he was the No. 3 receiver. His contract is a good one but it's not like he's being paid Dez Bryant money. I don't think either of those things should stop him from returning punts. Do I think he'll be the main punt returner during the season? Not really. I think they would view him as a safety net as a returner, a punt catcher, if you will. I think you'll see them work a few guys in as punt returners. Heck, Bryant has been mentioned as a possible punt returner. Now that I wouldn't do. He's far too valuable. I don't mean to knock Beasley's value by saying that, but I'd hope people can see a difference between Bryant and Beasley.

          @toddarcher: My first reaction was offensive line. They already had a great line and added La'el Collins, Chaz Green and Laurence Gibson in the draft process. I believe Mackenzy Bernadeau is a valuable backup as well. Going nine deep is pretty good and I'm not sure Gibson is a lock. But what about other spots? I can't say they're deep at defensive line. I can't say they're deep at receiver. I can't say they're deep at running back. The same goes with safety, cornerback and linebacker. But that doesn't mean they're thin at those spots either. It's just that they are untested in some of those spots to be sure they have depth. Which brings me back to the offensive line, is my feeling based on what I think I know or what I actually know. Collins, Green and Gibson haven't played a down in the NFL yet. I'll stick with the offensive line, but I'd also tell you that every NFL Nation reporter might have the same back and forth I just gave you about their teams regarding depth.