Cowboys trying to keep reputation high regarding undrafted free agents
Rainer Sabin Follow @RainerSabinDMN Email
rsabin@dallasnews.com
Published: May 3, 2015 9:51 pm
In years past, the Cowboys have earned a reputation for signing undrafted free agents who develop into key contributors. On the current roster, quarterback Tony Romo, receiver Cole Beasley, kicker Dan Bailey and safety Barry Church — players who were not drafted — turned out to be some of their best finds.
“We’ll continue to take a lot of pride in that,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “It’s a priority for us. If you end up getting the top five or six guys that you’re after that you would have taken [in the draft], then it’s like having three more, five more, six more seventh-round picks. We think that pays off for us.”
The Cowboys began the process of filling out the bottom of their roster shortly after the draft ended Saturday night. According to the league and team websites, they are also bringing in Illinois fullback Jon Davis, Georgia Tech running back Synjyn Days, USC receiver George Farmer, Pittsburgh safety Ray Vinopal, North Carolina defensive back Tim Scott, and South Alabama quarterback Brandon Bridge.
Signings have yet to be officially announced, and some players will be added on a trial basis for next week’s rookie minicamp.
“It really doesn’t matter where you come from,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “On Thursday night, I’m going to stand right here in front of this rookie class and tell them that. We don’t care if you’re drafted in the first round or you’re a college free agent who just got here. We’re going to give you a chance to show who you are and how you can contribute to this football team. That’s a huge thing for us.”
The following are undrafted players who have been connected to the Cowboys as potential free agents or tryout players for this week’s rookie minicamp, according to league and team websites and the Twitter accounts of the players or their agents:
Name POS. College
Brandon Bridge QB South Alabama
Jon Davis FB Illinois,
Synjyn Days RB Georgia Tech
George Farmer WR USC
Ray Hamilton TE Iowa
Chucky Hunter DT TCU
Antwan Goodley WR Baylor
Deontay Greenberry WR Houston
Nick Harwell WR Kansas
Shane McDermott C Miami
Justin Podrabsky TE Idaho
Daniel Quave OL La-Lafayette
Joel Ross CB Appalachian State
Tim Scott DB North Carolina
Jameill Showers QB UT-El Paso
Ray Vinopal S Pittsburgh
Lucky Whitehead WR Florida Atlantic
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Not so sure we are better at "finding" them.
We just have a rep of paying them. Seems like every year we lead the league in money paid out in bonuses and what not.