- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,271
Cowboys' 2014 undrafted free-agent review
January, 20, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
PHOENIX -- Through the years the Dallas Cowboys have been more than adept at finding undrafted free-agent success stories, with Tony Romo at the top of the list.
In 2014, the Cowboys had two undrafted free agents (cornerback Tyler Patmon, quarterback Dustin Vaughan) make the 53-man roster out of training camp. Linebacker Keith Smith was signed from the practice squad four different times during the regular season. Defensive tackle Chris Whaley spent the season on the non-football injury list because of a knee injury.
Here is a review of their undrafted free agents in 2014:
CB Tyler Patmon: He made the most of a rookie mini-camp tryout, that’s for sure. He was guaranteed only a weekend of practice but earned a contract for training camp and performed so well in the preseason the Cowboys kept him on the 53-man roster. He was active for 11 games and missed three with knee and ankle injuries. He was credited with six tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass deflection and one forced fumble. He also returned his only interception 58 yards for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. With the position unsettled in 2015, Patmon could have a chance to become the third corner in 2015.
QB Dustin Vaughan: He was active for only one game when Romo was unable to play because of two transverse process fractures and did not take a snap. That the Cowboys kept him on the 53-man roster for the season speaks to his potential. He has a big arm and improved from the rookie minicamp through the end of the preseason. It’s impossible to know if he has a long-term future, but he will get the chance to earn a spot in 2015.
LB Keith Smith: He was a tackling machine at San Jose State and proved to be the same in his limited work in the preseason. He is not the biggest or fastest player but found himself in the right spot a few times. The coaches credited him with six tackles defensively and four tackles on special team. He also forced a fumble. Given the uncertainty at linebacker in 2015 with so many free agents, he will get a chance to earn a roster spot again but will have to show he can contribute to every special teams group.
DT Chris Whaley: The Cowboys knew they were going to redshirt him when he signed because of a knee injury. Having the extra time to get healthy and get stronger should help in 2015, but the defensive line figures to be where the Cowboys look to add the most players this offseason. He will have to show in a hurry that he has regained his burst off the ball.
January, 20, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
PHOENIX -- Through the years the Dallas Cowboys have been more than adept at finding undrafted free-agent success stories, with Tony Romo at the top of the list.
In 2014, the Cowboys had two undrafted free agents (cornerback Tyler Patmon, quarterback Dustin Vaughan) make the 53-man roster out of training camp. Linebacker Keith Smith was signed from the practice squad four different times during the regular season. Defensive tackle Chris Whaley spent the season on the non-football injury list because of a knee injury.
Here is a review of their undrafted free agents in 2014:
CB Tyler Patmon: He made the most of a rookie mini-camp tryout, that’s for sure. He was guaranteed only a weekend of practice but earned a contract for training camp and performed so well in the preseason the Cowboys kept him on the 53-man roster. He was active for 11 games and missed three with knee and ankle injuries. He was credited with six tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass deflection and one forced fumble. He also returned his only interception 58 yards for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. With the position unsettled in 2015, Patmon could have a chance to become the third corner in 2015.
QB Dustin Vaughan: He was active for only one game when Romo was unable to play because of two transverse process fractures and did not take a snap. That the Cowboys kept him on the 53-man roster for the season speaks to his potential. He has a big arm and improved from the rookie minicamp through the end of the preseason. It’s impossible to know if he has a long-term future, but he will get the chance to earn a spot in 2015.
LB Keith Smith: He was a tackling machine at San Jose State and proved to be the same in his limited work in the preseason. He is not the biggest or fastest player but found himself in the right spot a few times. The coaches credited him with six tackles defensively and four tackles on special team. He also forced a fumble. Given the uncertainty at linebacker in 2015 with so many free agents, he will get a chance to earn a roster spot again but will have to show he can contribute to every special teams group.
DT Chris Whaley: The Cowboys knew they were going to redshirt him when he signed because of a knee injury. Having the extra time to get healthy and get stronger should help in 2015, but the defensive line figures to be where the Cowboys look to add the most players this offseason. He will have to show in a hurry that he has regained his burst off the ball.
