The Cowboys aren’t working out UFL players because they found three hidden gems. They are doing it because June is when depth charts start lying.
Dallas reportedly worked out wide receiver Denzel Mims, outside linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, and defensive back Ameer Speed. I see this as cheap injury insurance before training camp exposes the back end of the roster.
A couple of the players make sense, while the other seems a little redudnant to me.
Olakunle Fatukasi Can Help Dallas
Olakunle Fatukasi is the one workout I understand the most.
The Cowboys have Donovan Ezeiruaku working back back from hip labrum surgery, and Dallas should not try to get him back too soon. Fatukasi gives them another outside linebacker body with recent production.
He played seven games for the Birmingham Stallions in 2026 and finished with 23 total tackles, 19 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
I don’t want anyone to think that is star production, but it could be useful.
Fatukasi can help Dallas if the role is small. He will not be coming into Dallas to become a major pass-rush piece, but he can help by taking camp reps.
That’s worth a workout.
Denzel Mims Feels Like a Poor Man’s Jonathan Mingo
Denzel Mims is the name some people will know. I dont love the fit, but I understand why he was brought in.
Mims is 6’3” and 209 pounds, and was a former second-round pick. The problem is the production doesnt follow the profile.
He played five games for the UFLs Dallas Renegades in 2026 and caught six passes for 55 yards and no touchdowns. In 2025, he had five catches for 51 yards in St. Louis.
That is a grand total of 106 yards and not one touchdown across two UFL seasons.
You can’t put makeup on that pig and call it pretty.
I feel like Mims is a poor man’s Jonathan Mingo, and that is not a good thing. With Mingo already on the roster the Cowboys have a player whose whole selling point was size, traits, and hope. The Cowboys don’t need another version, a lesser version of the same player.
Mims can help if the Cowboys just need a bigger receiver in camp while George Pickens gets up to speed. Pickens has been held out of team drills at minicamp as a precaution. Don’t want Pickens going to hard right off the bat.
The thing is, if the Cowboys want Mims on the 53, if it were up to me it would be a big no. Dallas already has other receiver competitions. Mims would have to win on special teams and that might not be enough.
Ameer Speed Can Help on Special Teams
Ameer Speed is not exciting, but his path to a roster spot might be cleaner than Mims.
Speed played five games for the UFLs Houston Gamblers in 2026 and finished with 16 total tackles, 11 solo, five assisted, and two pass breakups.
I wouldn’t say that is a stat line to get hyped about, but Speed is 6’3” and 215 pounds. That kind of size will work at the bottom of the roster. If he can run, cover kicks, and tackle, he has a realistic chance for a camp role.
It helps that DaRon Bland is working his way back from foot surgery and the rest of the cornerback room is young. I don’t need Speed to challenge for a spot, but it would be nice, he just needs to make the bottom of the room better.
Special team, camp depth, emergency cornerback. That is all I want from Speed at this point.
Cowboys UFL Workouts Need the Right Expectations
These UFL workouts aren’t bad business.
Fatukasi makes the most sense in my mind becuase Dallas needs edge rushers and his UFL numbers were ok, for a look. Speed makes sense because defensive backs with size and special teams value are always worth a workout.
Mims is the workout I question.
The Cowboys already have a big-bodied receiver with traits who still has to prove himself. Adding Mims seems like just an older version with less production.
I like that Dallas looks at the UFL for talent. Some of these players can help, and every now and then you can find a KaVontae Turpin.
Was this helpful?
Comments