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.
Now, the Dallas Cowboys have very few available jobs up for grabs right now. On offense nearly all of the starting gigs are taken and there's not much up for grabs on the defensive side of the ball either. That means incoming rookies – whether drafted or undrafted – are competing for backup roles or must be standouts on special teams. That's likely their best chance of earning a roster spot.
Below are the Cowboys incoming rookies hoping to earn a roster spot…
The Dallas Cowboys are a team who have hit on a number of undrafted free agents over the years and they hope 2020 is no exception. Of the 15 they've officially signed after the completion of the NFL Draft, I think there are three who have a really good chance of earning a roster spot.
LB, Francis Bernard
Dallas Cowboys LB Francis Bernard
“Bernard needs to improve his take-on technique to earn a meaningful role in the NFL, but he is an aggressive run defender with promising reps in coverage, projecting as an NFL rookie backup who will eventually compete for starting reps.” – Dane Brugler
Francis Bernard was Dane's 14th ranked linebacker and he gave him a 4th-5th round grade. Bernard was likely one of the players the Dallas Cowboys still had a draftable grade on, so to get him as an UDFA is a pretty big deal. He provides much-needed LB depth and should be a standout on special teams, the latter of which is his best chance to stick to the roster.
RB, Rico Dowdle
Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle
“Dowdle is a hard-charging runner with agility on cutbacks to quickly get North-South, projecting as an NFL running back worth a roster spot if he can prove to be reliable and healthy.” – Dane Brugler
Rico Dowdle was Dane's 19th ranked running back and he gave him a 6th-7th round grade. He's had some fumble issues and trouble staying healthy during his time at South Carolina, but he has an intriguing skill set that could prompt the Cowboys to carry more RBs than they have the past few years. As the RB3 behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, he'll have to prove he can contribute on special teams though.
WR, Kendrick Rogers
Dallas Cowboys WR Kendrick Rogers
“Rogers has intriguing physical traits with his length and athleticism, but he leaves you wanting more as his game lacks sophistication, toughness or consistency, projecting as a late round or undrafted flier.” – Dane Brugler
Kendrick Rogers was Dane's 42nd ranked wide receiver and he gave him a 7th-Priority Free Agent grade. Rogers has some highlight reel catches during his time at Texas A&M, but lack of production and consistency due to poor QB play likely caused him to go undrafted. Beyond the top three of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb the WR depth is a huge question mark for the Cowboys. If Rogers can contribute on special teams he could earn a roster spot and quite possibly earn a role as a red zone weapon, somewhere he excelled at with the Aggies.
Level C2/C3 quadriplegic. College graduate with a bachelors degree in sports and health sciences-concentration sports management. Sports enthusiast. Dallas Cowboys fanatic. Lover of life with a glass half-full point of view.
