When it comes to signing undrafted free agents, the Dallas Cowboys have shown success striking gold on players. Some of the few names that pop into your head include Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Ronald Leary, Terrence Steele, La’el Collins, and Cole Beasley.
With Training Camp around the corner, the Cowboys will look to strike gold again in their 20 UDFA class, which was graded the best in the NFC by NFC Edge.
While it would be nice to predict that all 20 UDFAs have a chance to make the team and can become key contributors, check out the four UDFAs who I see as locks to make the roster.
1. Jonathan Garibay, K
After fielding out Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein for two seasons, the Cowboys parted ways with him this offseason after too much inconsistent play and the price of his contract. After his departure, K Chris Naggar was the only kicker on the roster, and some felt that it was Naggar’s job to lose.
However, after the Cowboys signed Texas Tech Jonathan Garibay as a UDFA, the franchise would release Naggar, and now Garibay has the chance to become the Cowboy’s full-time PK.
Although now Garibay is the only kicker on the roster right now, the odds of him making the team are high, and I’m hyped to see what he can bring.
2. Dontario Drummond, WR
With how depleted the WR Corps looked before the Draft, there was no doubt the Cowboys would go after a WR at some point. As they did draft South Alabama WR Jalen Tolbert in Round 3, who I expect to be a star down the road, they added another hidden gem in Dontario Drummond.
Looking at his tape and draft profiles, the most common things people said about him was he had a big frame and YAC ability. Factor in that he dominated in college production-wise, Drummond is another playmaker the Cowboys can trot out on the field in packages, and as a bonus– he can help in special teams.
3. Alec Lindstrom, C
Another position group that went quickly downhill during the off-season was the Cowboy’s offensive line. While the Cowboys did address some of the depth on the line with the picks of Tyler Smith and Matt Waletzko, the franchise landed a hidden gem in Alec Lindstrom.
Although some have said he is undersized for his position, Lindstrom has shown to make up for it in the technical side of his game and he has a legit shot of challenging C Tyler Biadasz for the starting gig.
Cowboys VP Stephen Jones has already hinted there will be competition at the Center position, so don’t be surprised to see Lindstrom make the roster as either the starter or a solid backup to start his career.
4. Markquese Bell, S
Easily one of my favorite UDFAs, Safety Markquese Bell has a real shot at making the most impact in Year One. Although some fans will point out that safety help may not be necessary since the team has Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Israel Mukuamu, and Donovan Wilson, you can argue there is no one beyond those four who’s proven.
Bell can give the Cowboys another hard-hitting safety who can help in the run game, and the idea of him running out there with Kearse and Hooker makes me excited.
It may be too early to predict for him to be a world-class defender off-the-bat, but with reports of him grabbing a pick-six in OTAs and the coaches constantly praising him, Bell should be on the 53-man roster.
