It’s that magical time of the football season for the Dallas Cowboys. The one where everyone gets excited about the new players joining the team, and while there will be a ton of articles covering the players who got picked, here will talk about the players that didn’t get picked, but rather picked up after the draft. It is time to figure out who the undrafted free agents for the Dallas Cowboys are and who they could be. While there could be some changes between now and minicamps, here is what we know.
The Dallas Cowboys have a rich history of finding undrafted free agents who have made an impact. From Tony Romo to Drew Pearson, from Terrence Steele to Everson Walls, the names jump out as soon as you see them. While this crop may not be as large as in past years, there are some very key players to watch as they develop. Before we get into it, I do believe even though they have not gotten another quarterback, that is a position that could still be grabbed.
So with the draft now over, the undrafted free agents for the Dallas Cowboys have started rolling in, so who are these guys? Let’s find out.
There are a few names on this list that I think should have gotten drafted. I will try to point out the fit for each player, their positives and negatives and where they could find themselves as the season progresses. Not all of them will stick around, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get the chance. With that all said, let’s start with the one name everyone was waiting for IN the draft.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
One name that stood out was that of Hunter Luepke, the fullback from North Dakota State. Dallas Cowboys fans knew that Mike McCarthy has traditionally loved using a fullback, and Luepke was probably the best in the draft. However, the NFL has trended away from using fullbacks (plus an ill-timed shoulder injury for Hunter) a lot so Hunter ended up not getting drafted. This was a name everyone around Cowboys Nation was expecting and he did in fact sign here.
On the plus side, Hunter is a good pass-catcher out of the backfield which helps his versatility beyond just a lead blocker. At 6’1″ he may not be ideal as a tight end, but he can split out and add some pop along the line and still get out for a reception. He isn’t quite the old-school bowl-you-over type fullback, but he does lower his pads, keeps his feet moving, and can churn out tough yardage. He had one fumble in the last few years and he does well to protect the ball in those tight situations. He also can play special teams which add to his value.
On the downside, Luepke doesn’t always engage well in blocking and will sometimes have a defender disengage. He has the power, I think more of it comes down to technique so it is fixable. As a receiver, there were a few drops that I think he lost concentration on. He doesn’t always take the cutback lane and will engage rather than try to make someone miss, it worked due to his power, but we will see how it works at the next level against bigger players. Luepke has a spot on this roster knowing how McCarthy likes to use fullbacks, and Hunter fits that mold really well.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
Another name some were expecting to go in the draft was wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper out of Fresno State. I know myself and others had him drafted anywhere from the fifth to the seventh round for the Cowboys. With a lot of people feeling the Cowboys needed to add speed to the wide receiver corps, Moreno-Cropper was seen as a lower-round pick that offered value and speed.
Moreno-Cropper ran a 4.4 40 time so he has the speed that the Cowboys have lacked. He tracks the ball well in the air which allowed him to use his speed and short-area movement to make catches and adjust to the ball. This short area movement ability and the way he uses his hands help him create space before and after the catch. He uses various speeds and pacing throughout his routes along with sharp cuts in and out of breaks which gives him some extra space as well.
One thing watching Moreno-Cropper is that sometimes he will allow the ball to get into him a little too much and he will body catch at times he should pluck it out of the air. Even with his 4.4 speed, there were times watching him that it didn’t always translate on deep throws or with his ability to get behind defenders. His touchdown production and yards after the catch was modest with only a 6.8 YAC and 5 TDs in 2022. His frame will probably cause him to be a slot receiver or have to play off the line as he can get pushed off routes. He has a role as a slot receiver and his speed is needed on the offense.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
One position the Dallas Cowboys needed depth at was linebacker. The team did grab DeMarvion Overshown in the draft, but he is thought to be more of a Jabril Cox replacement than anything. Wheat is more of a “tweener” at linebacker with a tendency to edge than Overshown is with a tendency to safety. Dan Quinn loves players with versatility so having a player like Wheat who can play on the line or in a more traditional linebacker role fits.
Wheat is a physical player who loves to make contact and can come downhill into gaps or even play and set an edge against the run. More powerful and fast than he is explosive and twitchy, he is a good blitzer with an ability to close quickly. He lowers his shoulder and looks to dislodge the ball when he makes contact. He lined up inside and out on the line for Miss St and was used in a lot of 3-4 and 3-3-5 situations.
Sometimes he will sell a little early on his intent and will shift his weight pre-snap either forward or back. When he rushes he doesn’t really have a lot of moves to counter, but will prefer a bull-rush or will “throw” his shoulder into a blocker instead of punching at arm’s length. He’s range is a little questionable and it shows up when he is a tick slow in anticipation. He certainly has the ability to be a depth player at linebacker and if he can play special teams fills a need for the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
Another linebacker the Dallas Cowboys picked up after the draft is Isaiah Land out of Florida A&M. Land was used quite a bit as a pass rusher at Florida A&M so while he is listed as a linebacker, he is more of an edge. He is still very raw in development, so he may need some practice squad time to fill out and find his home, there is a lot to like in terms of raw talent.
Land is explosive when he gets moving with an unrelenting motor to continue in pursuit. He works himself well coming back through traffic and chases down quarterbacks as they escape out of the pocket. With a good bend off the edge, he can get into the backfield quickly if he isn’t punched fast enough by the lineman. He reads and reacts well to where he is developmentally so he has a lot of tools to work with early on.
Land is still very much in need of bulk to work against the larger players in the NFL. Often times he can get pushed off his line and will have to use his athleticism to get back into the play. If a lineman locks him in, Land doesn’t have a lot of moves to escape due to the lack of bulk, so while he flashes it, he may struggle against better competition early on. His motor will sometimes get him in over-pursuit and will have to work back into his line. Wraps up well, but will sometimes arm tackle and will roll off.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
The Dallas Cowboys needed to add to the wide receiver room and while they didn’t really do a ton in the draft, they did add after the draft and Jose Barbon out of Temple was one of the targets. Temple’s leading receiver, Barbon has some traits to like but may need to work on technique before seeing a lot of playing time. He offers special teams ability which helps him a ton. There are some tools and he did meet with the Chiefs during the draft process.
Barbon will probably be a slot receiver at the next level but does offer some ability to play outside as well despite only being 5’11”. He tracks the ball well in the air and adjusts to throws outside his frame. He has a good idea of where he is on the field and while not the best route runner knows where he needs to be. He is not afraid to come across the middle and make contested catches. He has decent footwork to stack defenders and change his route accordingly.
Barbon will sometimes not work back to the quarterback and allow the ball to come to him. In a few games, he was a tick late off the snap which allowed defenders to adjust to him quickly. Barbon doesn’t really create a lot of separation and won’t take the top off a defense. More of a possession receiver than dynamic playmaker. Practice squad will probably be his ceiling early on.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
One of the positions many felt the Dallas Cowboys needed more help at was tight end. While they did draft one early, there were still some depth questions at the position so Fant was picked up shortly after the draft. Fant is a worker in all of the roles of the tight end but is still learning the position and needs work in almost all aspects. He is a developmental tight end but does offer some versatility as an H-Back.
Fant plays faster and bigger than you would think when you first look at him as his experience as a running back shows up in the passing game and as a receiver. I would actually consider him at fullback more than I would at tight end due to his ability to catch passes and work out of the backfield. Threw a touchdown pass, scored as a runner, and was used for two-point conversions he offers versatility as a weapon more than a specific position player.
Fant is still very raw and will need time to develop his route running and blocking prowess. While he plays faster and bigger than you would think he is not overly developed in either area to think he can start early. While he was fairly productive in the Vols system, it may not translate to the NFL as spacing will change drastically. His technique as a blocker is about effort at best.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
I placed Durrell Johnson as an edge but could move to linebacker due to his history of playing safety. Another player who offers versatility, Johnson can help as a pass rusher, but it is his athleticism and nose for the ball that drew interest. He fills a depth piece as a weapon on defense and while he will need to add strength if he is a full-time edge, there are parts of his game to like.
Johnson is another high-motor guy that uses an explosive first step to get around the edge and pursue the quarterback. He flashed a good rip move which allowed him to disengage bigger blockers on the outside. He is always around the ball and his athleticism flashes in his read-and-react-to-the-play ability. Slashes a lot across the line to get inside and pursue rollouts.
Johnson will need to add to his strength at the next level as he relies on his first step for most of his pass-rushing ability. Will get stood up on the line and has to find ways to disengage with few counters in his arsenal. His motor will get him coming into the backfield sometimes a little out of control and while he flashes the ability to keep it in check, he will need more consistency.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
The Dallas Cowboys had issues at corner last year and the players they had as depth have proven to be a little less than consistent. D’Angleo Mandell is a physical corner who fits the type that Dan Quinn loves to have on the outside. Physical and reactionary, Mandell can play outside and while there are some really nice traits there may be some things he won’t overcome, he could find himself transitioning to safety and playing special teams.
Mandell is a corner who is not afraid to mix it up with contact. Mandell does well when the play is in front of him to recognize and react to the play by breaking early and playing to the ball. When in zone he does well to keep the receiver bracketed with the safety and uses the boundary to his advantage. He will play the run well and comes downhill to meet the ball carrier rather than let him come to him.
Mandell doesn’t have the long speed and plays in trail more than you would like. I didn’t see any interceptions and upon checking never had one in college. His pass break-ups were also lacking and he tends to play in an area and make a tackle rather than truly playing the ball. For all of his height and length he doesn’t play man coverage all that well and might need very scheme specific at the next level.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
The Dallas Cowboys had questions at offensive tackle with Terrence Steele and Tyron Smith both recovering from injuries. While Tyler Smith did move to left tackle, there is a lack of swing tackle currently with everyone in depth still developing. Earl Bostick Jr. is a developmental swing tackle but flashes athletic mobility which helps cut rushers off on the edge. He will fight for a depth position early and could be stashed on the practice squad.
The first thing you notice when Bostick plays is his ability to kick out quickly and get to the edge with some aggression and speed. He is actually better as a pass blocker than he is as a run blocker at this point, and part of that is due to his past play as a tight end. While he is still learning the position his mobility gives a glimpse of what he could be and his frame can still add some size up top.
Bostick is still very raw with understanding how to use his hands which will sometimes get him in trouble in combination with his overall play strength in the run game. He controls his body well, but doesn’t have the technique down which causes him to move too far out of position and in need of recovery. He doesn’t move as well as you would like getting to the second level and much of that is still his learning. Adding size will also help him anchor better at the point of attack as he will get too upright on blocks at times.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
With the Dallas Cowboys looking to add to their wide receiver room, David Durden is raw but has physical tools that could help him develop into a weapon. He will need to work on the adjustment to the level of competition, but his 4.45 speed and solid frame will get him some attention in camp. He plays special teams and that will help him, but the practice squad is a possibility early unless he proves himself against better competition.
Durden uses his strength to break jams off the line and then acceleration to get upfield. When he gets the ball in his hands he displays a knack for breaking plays for large gains. He shifts his gears both downfield and across the middle where he isn’t afraid of contact. His breaks are pretty sharp which helps him get small separation space throughout his routes. He was a good punt returner, gunner, and tackler on special teams.
The first concern is of course the level of competition from West Florida to the NFL. He will sometimes brace for impact rather than try and make a move when he catches the ball. While he does track the ball well, he can get distracted when the window closes and doesn’t always high-point the way you would like. He will need to cut and go at the next level as he tends to wait for blockers before he makes a move.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
Myles Brooks out of Louisiana Tech is a corner with some ability to play safety and is rather physical on the outside. He gives the Cowboys a little flexibility if he can play special teams as he learns more technique at corner. Another player in the mold of Dan Quinn corners he is a little bigger to get into a receiver off the line. Most likely he is a special teamer or practice squad player early.
Brooks is really physical on the outside and will come down in run support and take on the ball carrier. He has good ball skills and when put in zone coverage flashes them fairly consistently. Coming off of press on the line he does well to recover and turn with the receiver. When he makes a play on the ball he turns into a receiver trying to high point the catch.
Brooks is overly physical at times and he draws penalties due to it. He also lets his emotions get the best of him which also has drawn flags with his play on the field. I don’t love his footwork as a whole and will sometimes get himself in trouble due to it. While he is physical he isn’t a great tackler as he tends to launch and knock the ball carrier down rather than wrap up and end the play.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
The Dallas Cowboys have a lack of depth at left guard and while they didn’t really address it like many wanted in the draft, okay they didn’t address it at all, they did add T.J. Bass after the draft to help the position. He may not be the flashiest player, but he could fight for a backup role early with a good frame and play strength.
Bass has the power to be a good run blocker at the next level as he locks onto rushers and is tough to get away from. He keeps his feet moving and is always looking for someone to block. He absorbs initial punches and stays patient to recover and reset his base. He loves to finish blocks with a little bit of the “nasty” that many offensive linemen don’t have. He has also played tackle which offers some versatility.
Bass is not what you would call an athletic player as he just doesn’t have the length or flexibility some will desire along the line. More of a mauler, he will sometimes jump before the snap trying to compensate for his more lumbering presence. This will sometimes cause him to reach a little late coming out of his stance and gets himself pushed back or late pulling around. The power is there but he needs to learn to not solely rely on it.
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
With the Dallas Cowboys needing help at tight end and wide receiver, they are leaving no stone unturned as they pick up John Stephens, Jr. out of Louisiana. Stephens offers the speed at tight end that they are looking for with the possibility of splitting him out. He is listed as both a tight end and a wide receiver, for this I am listing him at tight end, mostly due to his overall speed, height, and frame. He will need to be on the practice squad, but he does play special teams.
Stephens has a large frame which gives the quarterback a huge radius to throw at. He made some really nice catches in one on one matchups with his reach and range. He is a willing blocker in the run game and due to his size is a matchup issue for most corners when they try to come downhill in run support. Stephens is a tough tackle and will drag defenders with his size.
Stephens doesn’t run a ton of routes and relies on his height and frame to make plays. He will sometimes sink back before he takes a step as the ball is hiked causing him to be a step slow off the line. Ran a 4.6 40 time, and with his frame, he may be a bit of a tweener and will need to add size to be a full-time tight end. While he does well to box out defenders he doesn’t always highpoint the ball and allows it to come to him
Dallas Cowboys UDFAs
There are still some positions the Dallas Cowboys could look at adding talent. While many of the players have already been signed, quarterback depth and kicker are still glaring holes on the roster. Jerry Jones did say they were looking at veterans for a kicker, but there has not been word about bringing in more arms for camp. I have struggled to find any of the top 20 or so quarterbacks from the draft that haven’t been signed yet, so it may not happen, be a veteran, or will come from a very small school.
The Dallas Cowboys have found themselves still needing more on the offensive line possibly so depth there could also be grabbed at some point. The rest of the roster is fairly full and anyone who gets a minicamp invite might just be for bodies more than a player the Cowboys think they will keep long-term. Movement still happens so as players get released look for possible moves.
The Cowboys’ draft was met with a mix of reviews, but one thing they have shown is an ability to find “diamonds in the rough” after the draft who become contributors in recent years. Next up is the rookie minicamp which will help define where some of the guys end up, but for now, we have answered “Who are these guys?”