Cowboys undrafted free agents: Analyzing what Dallas got in their signings
A closer look at the crop of undrafted free agent signings for the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys had a solid draft. Having to fortify their fronts on both sides of the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys drafted Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe on the offensive line. Both players could see the field to begin the season and will undoubtedly be a part of the team’s future along the offensive line. On the other side of the ball, Dallas added Marshawn Kneeland in the second round and Justin Rogers with their final draft pick. Kneeland will provide depth, and Rogers will compete to replace the departed Jonathan Hankins.
As we’ve seen with the Cowboys, they know how to provide adequate talent after the draft by way of the undrafted free market. Hopefully, the Cowboys did that with their twelve additions after the draft. Here’s a recap of the Cowboys’ post-draft haul.
The Cowboys doubled up on a few positions. The Cowboys picked up two tight ends. Brevyn Spann-Ford is a big tight end who will look to earn a place as a blocking tight end but could have some impact as a pass catcher. Spann-Ford is a punishing blocker on the move and could turn heads once the pads come on this offseason. Dallas also signed UCF tight end Alec Holler, who is more athletic than his undrafted tight end counterpart. Spann-Ford potentially can work to fill the role as the team’s blocking tight end with Sean McKeon still a free agent. Both tight ends will have to work to make an impression after John Stephens flashed last summer as a productive tight end prospect at training camp before tearing his ACL.
In the secondary, the Cowboys signed three safeties. Emany Johnson from Nevada is an older player who was a sixth-year senior. He may be a late-bloomer, as this year was the most productive season of his collegiate career. Josh DeBerry has good size and playmaking skills but needed to be more consistent throughout his senior year. Lastly, at safety, Julius Wood has a reputation for striking power who lays big hits to unsuspecting receivers.
The Cowboys need linebackers, and they signed Jason Johnson and Brock Mogenson. Johnson is a good tackler who has produced throughout his time in college. However, he’s a little undersized that can be eclipsed by oncoming blockers. Meanwhile, Mogenson is a tackling machine with ideal size.
The Cowboys did sign a running back in Nate Peat from Missouri. He’s likely not in contention for a significant role, but could find himself battling for a special teams role. He has a solid frame with some speed, but his production was never enough to separate himself from other backs.
Along the defensive line, Byron Vaughns and Denzel Daxon will fight to make an impact. Vaughns is a smaller edge rusher, similar to Isaiah Land, who was part of last year’s undrafted free-agent class. Vaughns has the athleticism to win off the edge. Regarding the interior defensive line, Daxon is a big body at 6’2”, 320 lbs., who started 11 games for Illinois as a nose tackle. Rounding out the undrafted crop, Corey Crooms and Cam Johnson will need to have outstanding camps to separate themselves from the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart.
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