Earlier this off-season, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy sung the praises of third-year defensive back Juanyeh Thomas.
“I thought he made a big jump last year,” McCarthy said. “He’s been dynamic on special teams. Juanyeh just has so much personality. When he was given an opportunity at safety, he stepped up. Juanyeh is really a great example of a young player that’s excelled with every opportunity he’s been given. It’d be awesome to see him take another step.”
It helps that Thomas, as McCarthy pointed out, took advantage of his first step, as well – back when he was an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech.
NFL rosters are filled with undrafted free agents. It’s not how you enter the league, but what you do once you arrive, and plenty of undrafted free agents – like Thomas – have proven that time and time again. The Cowboys have plenty of undrafted free agents that could make an impact this coming season.
But does that include the current crop of undrafted rookies?
Here’s a look at three undrafted rookies that could make the Cowboys.
WR Cam Johnson
Let’s start with a little bit of a surprise, shall we? And if we’re being honest, a probably longshot. Johnson wasn’t the most notable undrafted free agent signing the Cowboys had (more on that later), but he did make multiple plays during minicamp. That included a touchdown reception on a tipped ball in an intense three-play sequence on the final day of minicamp.
Johnson isn’t your normal undrafted rookie. He has a ton of experience. He played at Vanderbilt, Arizona State and finally Northwestern over a career that spanned six years. He finished with 188 catches for 2,032 yards and 16 touchdowns.
It’s certainly an uphill battle for Johnson. The Cowboys have surefire roster spots devoted to at least four receivers, and likely five if you include Jordan Brooks. That means the sixth spot – if the Cowboys even decide to carry six receivers – would likely be a battle between at least five receivers, including rookie sixth round pick Ryan Flournoy and veteran journeyman Tyron Billy-Johnson.
If Johnson can continue his momentum from minicamp, he could open some eyes and surprise.
DT Denzel Daxon
While the wide receiver room may be a logjam, the defensive line may be a land of opportunity for multiple players, including undrafted rookie Denzel Daxon. There are a ton of questions about a Cowboys interior defensive line that appears to be thinner than average. Will Mazi Smith, last year’s first round pick, take control of the interior defensive line? Will the Cowboys rely on veteran Carl Davis, just as they did with Johnathan Hankins before him? Will seventh round pick Justin Rogers surprise people and become an achor in the run defense?
A lot of questions, but not a lot of certainty. Daxon will have a chance to assert himself in the conversation.
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
Perhaps the likeliest undrafted rookie to make the team. The Cowboys had to win a bidding war for Spann-Ford in the moments after the draft concluded. They also had to pay him a healthy signing bonus to get him in a Cowboys uniform.
That’s due, in large part, to a blocking skill set that warranted him getting drafted, even if he wasn’t. That’s also due to a Cowboys tight end room that should feature plenty of competition behind starter Jake Ferguson.
The Cowboys will be hoping for a big jump from last year’s second round pick Luke Schoonmaker. John Stephens, an undrafted free agent last year, impressed before he suffered a season-ending injury before the season began. Peyton Hendershot has to prove he can stay healthy.
Spann-Ford will have to chance to win a roster spot. We’ll see if he can take it.