The Dallas Cowboys signed two players from a workout last week, former Green Bay Packers cornerback Robert Rochell and former UFL Birmingham Stallions defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, both Rochell and Winfrey took part in a workout with the Cowboys last week that included a total of five players.
Rochell previously played for the Packers and Los Angeles Rams during the first four seasons of his career, playing in a total of 48 games and collecting one interception with three fumble recoveries.
Meanwhile, Winfrey spent the first two seasons of his career with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets before signing with the Stallions last season, where he played only one game and finished with two tackles.
Both players will compete for a spot on the Cowboys’ roster during training camp, which begins on July 21 in Oxnard, California.
According to the organization, the Cowboys have released defensive tackle Justin Rogers and cornerback Luq Barcoo in response to these signings.
Rochell will likely face a difficult path to making the Cowboys’ 53-man roster, as the team is already set up for success at the cornerback position.
The former Packers cornerback is unlikely to surpass DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, or Shavon Revel Jr. on the Cowboys’ depth chart, leaving only a few spots of roster availability at the position.
On the other hand, there is actually a realistic path to the roster for Winfrey, with the Cowboys struggling heavily against the run last season and needing players for the interior defensive line.
Dallas is already expected to rely on defensive tackle Mazi Smith and rookie Jay Toia, who has been taking snaps with the Cowboys’ first team, but the franchise could choose to keep multiple tackles on the roster.
Winfrey is unlikely to be slotted ahead of Smith on the depth chart, largely due to the draft capital invested in Smith in the past, but there is a chance that he could overtake the seventh-round rookie with a strong training camp performance.
Either player stepping into a solid role with the team would not be surprising given the Cowboys’ past success with these types of players.
The Cowboys have consistently taken chances on players from other professional football leagues, leading the team to pick up two of the most impactful players available in the NFL.
Dallas previously signed kick returner KaVontae Turpin and kicker Brandon Aubrey to contracts from the USFL, with each of these players becoming one of the best at their positions.
Any impact from these players will be incredibly important as the Cowboys face a difficult schedule next season. The season officially begins on September 4 at 7:20 p.m. against the Philadelphia Eagles.