Eric

Frampton

The fifth-round pick is one of five draft picks who will not be on the opening day roster.

Head Coach Lane Kiffin is certainly familar with the former Washington State safety from their days in the Pac-10. Any noise Frampton makes this year for the Raiders will likely come on special teams.

Frampton won the spot by beating out four other safeties to work out for the Cowboys on Tuesday. Although he’s never started in the NFL, Frampton appeared in all but two games with the Vikings over the past four years. He’ll add depth with Barry Church out for the season.

A career reserve, Frampton started two games for the Cowboys last December. Dallas is much healthier at safety than it was in 2012, so Frampton won’t be assured a roster spot. He should at least make it to final cuts.

Frampton is expected to remain the starter for next week’s game with the Redskins. He was officially credited with two tackles in the loss, and doesn’t project as an upgrade. Danny McCray has struggled mightily since taking over for Barry Church earlier this season and is being relegated to special teams.

Frampton was technically waived/injured with a calf injury, but the Cowboys are letting him go with an injury settlement. His roster spot was needed after the Cowboys signed RG Brian Waters to a one-year contract Tuesday night.

Frampton is a career special teamer. He played five defensive snaps in 2013.

Frampton brings 89 games of special teams experience across seven seasons to the table. He takes Chris Carr’s spot on the roster.

Frampton looked like a decent prospect coming out of Washington State, but has now been cut by two teams since being selected in the fifth round of April’s draft. Robinson, Mr. Irrelevant 2007, will mostly play special teams.

Frampton knows the Tampa 2 scheme Vikes coordinator Leslie Frazier runs, so he could help out in the base defense eventually. He initially adds depth.