As we all know the Dallas Cowboys did not go all in like Jerry Jones said after the loss in the playoffs last year. Instead, he brought back Ezekiel Elliott and signed Eric Kendricks.
Yet, in June, the Cowboys dipped back into the UFL signing Willie Harvey jr, and Gareon Conley.
Harvey was an All-UFL first-team linebacker for the St. Louis Battlehawks. He attended college at Iowa State and signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2019 as an undrafted free agent.
Conley on the other hand, is from Ohio State and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of 2017. He started 26 of 31 games in the NFL from 2017-2019 for the Raiders and then the Texans after being traded for a third-round pick.
We have seen both KaVontae Turpin and Brandon Aubrey be homerun signings for the Cowboys. Both of those guys they signed from the USFL after they had awesome seasons there.
Aubrey was a 1st team All-Pro in his rookie year, making his first 36 NFL field goals, and setting the single season record for touchbacks with 99.
Turpin, as you know, is one of the best returners in the league and hopefully will be used more in the offense in 2024 under Mike McCarthy. He needs to be on the field.
So that got me thinking; well with it being the slowest part of the offseason right now, who will bring more value to the Cowboys in 2024?
Willie Harvey
Let’s start with Harvey, who an All-Pro with the UFL this season. In a linebacker room that is a bit watered down, even with the veteran leadership of Kendricks, Harvey should have a chance to get some work in early.
He led the UFL in total tackles with 78 and tied for tackles in loss with 9. He also led all linebackers with six passes broken up and had four sacks.
They need depth at the LB spot, and Mike Zimmer will love a guy who just works hard and wants to be coached. This a second chance for Harvey after his first trip in the NFL did not go the way he had hoped for.
If he can learn the system well enough, he should have a chance to help in the middle of the field.
Gareon Conley
Conley joins the team at a position in my opinion of strength. Even though it seems they won’t resign Stephon Gilmore, this corner group will get Trevon Diggs back, and still has DaRon Bland and resigned Jourdan Lewis.
Conley battled injuries his entire time in the NFL. His best season came in 2019 when he played in 13 games and finished with 15 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and one interception.
After the Texans did not resign him and due to the injuries over the years, teams did not sign him. Conley got back into football in 2024 playing for the Defenders and DC Greg Williams.
Will a second chance in the NFL be the one he needs to have a solid few years, we will see.
This very well could be a low-risk, high-reward type deal for the Cowboys. If it does not work out, they may not even have him on the final 53-man roster. That is fine.
So with that said, Harvey seems to me to bring the most value to the Cowboys as we sit here on June 24th.
He showed what he could do making 1st team All-Pro in the UFL, and will have a chance to earn some snaps when training camp rolls around in late-July.
Long way to go this summer, let’s hope the next signing we get is CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons.