Cowboys news: Cowboys UDFA class provides multiple 55-man roster options

3 Dallas Cowboys UDFAs Who Could Earn a Roster Spot - Brian Martin, Inside the Star

It’s UDFA season, and the Cowboys have one heck of a class.

When it comes to undrafted free agents, the Dallas Cowboys are a team who have found some hidden gems over the years. Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Cole Beasley, Ronald Leary, La’el Collins are just a few names who’ve gone from undrafted to NFL starters and the Cowboys would love to strike that kind of gold with this year’s group of undrafted players.

Going undrafted of course wasn’t the way these prospects were hoping to start their NFL career. It’s harder to earn a roster spot going this route, but not impossible. This year’s UDFAs actually have a better chance to to obtain one of those coveted roster spots then other players in their position in years past. They can thank the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for that.

The new CBA has expanded NFL roster limits from 53 to 55, meaning with two extra roster spots up for grabs UFDAs odds of making the team have improved. Two extra roster spots may not seem like a lot, but it does allow teams around the league to go a little deeper at a position they probably wouldn’t have in the past.

Three undrafted rookies with the best chance to make it onto the roster this season - Terrence Watson, Blogging the Boys

More stud-UDFA’s? Let’s Go!

When you are an undrafted free agent and teams compete in a bidding war to get you on their team, it’s a big deal. It’s an even bigger deal when one of them is the defending NFC Champions in the San Francisco 49ers who have an eye for talented defensive linemen. Lucky for the Cowboys, Carter chose them along with a contract worth $145,000 in total guarantees — $125,000 of guaranteed base salary, and a $20,000 signing bonus which is more than many undrafted rookies will see.

Carter’s blend of size, speed and power are rare and his production is quite impressive. Totaling 23.5 sacks in three seasons with JMU you could say Carter was a game-wrecker for opposing offenses. He’s also brings a nice set of pass rush moves with him that he can deploy and win with at the NFL level.

Carter’s main threat not to make the roster comes from Joe Jackson who was drafted by the Cowboys last year. You could consider Jalen Jelks, but he could be moving to defensive tackle much like Tyrone Crawford has. So with Jackson as the main threat and this coaching staff having no real ties to Jackson, Carter could make the 55-man roster.

Teams usually don’t pay that kind of price for a player if they don’t have plans for him.

Former TCU Tailback Sewo Olonilua Plans To Make Cowboys Team As Free Agent - Keith Russell, CBS DFW

Could this UDFA out of TCU take over RB3/FB1 duties?

Olonilua is an undrafted free agent with every intention of making the Dallas Cowboys team.

He was a tailback at TCU, but will switch to fullback for the Cowboys.

Olonilua is embracing the position change, knowing he has all the skills to do so.

Finishing school in three and a half years with a degree in economics, Olonilua said graduating college has always been a goal of his.

With his mom being a college professor, academics have always been stressed as important in his family.

His college coach, Gary Patterson, said Sewo is extremely smart — not to mention physically gifted.

And with the coronavirus outbreak leaving the NFL season in limbo, Olonilua said he wants to stay ready to make his dreams come true.

2020 NFL Draft class rankings: Ravens, Cowboys, Vikes clean up - Gennaro Filice and Dan Parr, NFL.com

Is this good?

FILICE: What a difference drafting on a $250 million mega yacht makes! Jerry Jones spent the virtual draft aboard the Bravo Eugenia, a predictably glitzy setting for the league’s ultimate showman owner. But separated from COO Stephen Jones, vice president of player personnel Will McClay and new head coach Mike McCarthy, Jerrah was flying without a parachute. Nobody was there to snatch the draft card out of the boss’ hand, should he have been tempted to do something like drafting Johnny Manziel over Zack Martin. No matter. The Star King absolutely crushed this draft, logging immense value in each of his first six picks while simultaneously filling roster needs. Lamb was a gift from the Draft Gods. It’s a player you just have to pick in the second half of Round 1, regardless of how your draft needs stack up. But the real brilliance of the Cowboys’ draft is how they found ways to fill holes after making the quasi-luxury pick at wide receiver. Diggs was a cornerback many mocked to Dallas at No. 17 — instead, the Cowboys landed him 34 slots later. Gallimore received some first-round buzz during the pre-draft process — Dallas nabbed him midway through the third. And then on Day 3, the ‘Boys made a number of need-based selections who could significantly outproduce their respective draft slots.

A way-too-early Dallas Cowboys roster projection: Is DT Trysten Hill’s spot already in jeopardy? - John Owning, Dallas Morning News

It might be too early, but it might be correct..

Jon’Vea Johnson would have made the team last year if not for a troubling case of butterfingers that ruined all of the currency he built up as an improving route runner who can stretch the field with 4.4 speed. Hopefully, Johnson became extra acquainted with the Jugs machine during his time on the practice squad in an attempt to sure up his hands. He has a great shot to make the roster if he’s more reliable at the catch point.

In today’s NFL where passing is king, it’s a smart idea to keep six receivers on the roster just in case. At 6-3, 205 pounds, Ventell Bryant has the size and movement skills to develop into a contributor. In 2019, he spent training camp with the Bengals before signing with the Cowboys’ practice squad after roster cuts. Bryant obviously made a good impression because he was called up to the 53-man roster in early October — a spot he maintained through the rest of the season.

Outside of Bryant, Johnson and Wilson, Devin Smith has the best chance to make the 53-man roster. However, his inability to be an effective special teamer means he will need to prove to be a much better pure receiver to compensate. His best bet is to overtake Johnson as the team’s speedy deep threat.

Keep an eye on undrafted free agent Kendrick Rogers, whose size (6-3) and ball skills could earn him a role as a red-zone weapon if he can prove to be effective enough on special teams.

Mailbag: Not Done In Free Agency Yet? - Rob Phillips, DallasCowboys.com

Are the Cowboys still looking into adding free agents?

Rob: Well, they didn’t waste much time after the draft, agreeing to a deal with veteran cornerback Daryl Worley on Tuesday. Could they make another signing for depth at, say, safety or defensive end? I guess it’s possible. But they like the HaHa Clinton-Dix signing a lot, and they’ve told us they have corners on the team with safety position flex. They’re also adding five edge rushers to the roster (drafting Bradlee Anea and agreeing to terms with four rookie free agents). I’d say they feel better about the numbers and competition at those spots right now.

Andy Dalton needs to be on Cowboys’ radar for Dak backup role - Ben Grimaldi, Cowboys Wire

Andy Dalton, anyone?

The Cincinnati Bengals recently released QB Andy Dalton, who would be the perfect fit behind Prescott.

It might sound crazy because Dalton’s play has fallen off in the last few years and the Bengals have been a bad team, but he is still capable of playing good football and is an upgrade over Rush.

Dalton fits the bill of what the Cowboys usually look for in a back-up QB. Aside from the last few seasons, the team preferred to have a veteran behind its starting quarterback. Remember the days of Brad Johnson, Jon Kitna and Kyle Orton backing up Tony Romo, and one can see the team is comfortable having an experienced QB behind their starter.

That philosophy might have changed when they got a young, healthy QB in Prescott, and might be a more distant reality now that there’s a new head coach. Mike McCarthy’s career suggests the team might want to groom a better backup option, but Ben DiNucci might be a tad too green for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. DiNucci likely needs some time to sit and learn before he’s in the discussion of being backup material.

CeeDee Lamb Echoes Unbelievable Points Projection for Cowboys’ Offense - Zack Kelberman, Heavy.com

Team. Forty. Burger.

CeeDee Lamb knows he’s a special wide receiver, perhaps the greatest in a historically deep class. The No. 17 overall draft pick also is aware he’s joining an already powder-kegged Dallas Cowboys offense, which finished first in the NFL last season in total yards per game (431.5), and sixth in points per game (27.1).

The two combining forces should account for a nearly two-touchdown weekly increase, according to the former Sooners star who averaged 19.0 yards per catch and scored 32 touchdowns on 173 career receptions.“Oh yeah, that’s definitely achievable,” Lamb — asked if it’s possible that Dallas can average 40 points per game this season — said after he was drafted.

No team was close to hitting that mark in 2019. In fact, only one, the Lamar Jackson-fueled Ravens, managed to crack the 30s — a league-high 33.9 PPG. The 49ers finished second with 29.9, the Saints (28.6) and Bucs (28.6) tied for third, and the reigning champion Chiefs (28.2) fourth.

BTB Podcast

The Dallas Cowboys drafted two Oklahoma Sooners last week. Jessica Coody from Sooner Sports TV stopped by Girls Talkin ‘Boys to give us some deeper insight on CeeDee Lamb and Neville Gallimore.

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