Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek some of the writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the BTB Roundtable. This week we have Tom Ryle, Brian Martin, Jess Haynie, Matt Holleran, RJ Ochoa, and Dan Rogers giving their analysis on our topics.
Cowboys sign a cornerback and linebacker from the UFL. What’s the expectation for both players?
The Cowboys made moves last week making two signings. They held practices for a number of ex-UFL stars and opted to sign cornerback Gareon Conley and linebacker Willie Harvey. Here’s what CBS writer Garrett Podell reported:
Dallas has already beefed up its depth on defense with St. Louis Battlehawks inside linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., who has signed a deal following a workout with the club, the team announced. In the same announcement, the Cowboys also noted they have signed defensive back Gareon Conley, who is a former first-round pick in 2017 out of Ohio State and, more recently, was on the UFL’s DC Defenders. New Cowboys defensive run game coordinator Paul Guenther worked with Conley in 2018 and 2019 as the Raiders defensive coordinator.
Harvey has been designated number 55 trying to take on the number left behind by Leighton Vander Esch, while Conley will don number 43, a number once held by the great Hall of Famer, Cliff Harris.
Tom Ryle: It seems a smart idea to sign the cream of the crop from the UFL. The Cowboys tend to do well mining for gold in unexpected places. But remember that they excelled in a league of players who weren’t good enough to be in the NFL at this stage of their careers. There is a chance for both of them, but I’d put it at about 50-50 that just one of them makes the 53. However, their positions help, because those are prime ones for filling out special teams.
Brian Martin: Dallas needed more depth at both CB and LB and used the UFL “farm system” to sign a couple of players who excelled in the league this year. Expectations are probably low for both players though. The positions they play help their case, however, their ticket to the 53-man roster will likely depend on their special teams ability.
Jess Haynie: We shouldn’t confuse KaVontae Turpin’s success as some guarantee that other spring league additions will make an impact. Conley hasn’t had an NFL snap since 2019 and is about to turn 29. Harvey could catch on at the bottom of the LB depth chart but will probably need an injury to get much playing time.
Matt Holleran: Taking a chance on a couple of the best players from the UFL was a good decision, but it’s hard to have any real expectations for Conley or Harvey. If one was to even make the 53 it would be considered a success. Both seem to be on the outside looking in at this moment, but things can always change.
RJ Ochoa: At this point, it is probably a bit too optimistic to have any legitimate expectations. Anything is possible obviously. I’ve got tempered expectations.
Dan Rogers: I have no expectations of the UFL guys. I was a fan of Gareon Conley coming out of the draft, so I’m a little interested in seeing what he has, but I don’t expect much. Will Harvey Jr. might be fun to watch in preseason scrub-a-dub time, but he just seems too slow and undersized to hang with the big boys in the NFL.
Denzel Daxon receives International Player Pathway benefit. What does that mean for Daxon?
With Isaac Alarcon moving to the San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys have room for a new IPPP (International Player Pathway Program) candidate. Denzel Daxon, who hails from the Bahamas, has been given the pathway tag and will now receive the exemption meaning he automatically becomes a free player by not adding to the team’s roster limit and practice squad total should the Cowboys choose to retain him. His defensive line coach from Illinois, Terrance Jamison, had this to say on Daxon:
“I look for the intangibles when I look at film,” Jamison said. “Can he bend, can he move laterally, can he transition from speed to power? He showed all those things at that girth, at that size, and he played winning football at Ohio. They made the MAC championship, and he was a major contributor for those guys. He’s a great student and also a good football player. To learn the game that fast and apply his athleticism to the game, you could see those elements when you see him play when you see him practice. I think the sky’s the limit. The future’s bright for him. The true zero nose position, that’s a new position for him. But I’m telling you, it looks like he’s a natural spot for that position,” Jamison said. “He’s made significant growth since he’s come in the spring in the weight room, how he changed his body, how he runs, how he trains, and he’s translating that to the field. It’s impressive.”
Tom: Daxon, as I understand the IPP rules, basically has a free ride on the practice squad as long as he is eligible under those rules. The team gets a roster exemption for the offseason, and during the season they get an extra slot on the practice squad to carry him. It means he gets to attend practices and learn. More importantly, Daxon comes into the league having played NCAA football at Illinois – and he’s a nose tackle. He’s going to get a long look from the Dallas staff.
Brian: International Player Pathway or not, Denzel Daxson is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on as a potential 1-tech. Given the position he plays and the roster exemption as an international player, the Cowboys pretty much get a free looksee at someone who could help their DT depth concerns. It’s pretty much a zero-risk/high-reward situation.
Jess: Isaac Alarcon hung around from 2020 through the end of the 2023 training camp thanks to the IPP exemption. Daxon has a much better opportunity on Dallas’ thin defensive line than Alarcon ever had on offense. It means he should get several cracks at making the roster over the next few years.
Matt: As Jess mentioned in his answer, Isaac Alarcon was in Dallas for three years due to an IPP exemption. Daxon fills a need on a very thin Dallas defensive line and will have multiple chances to make the roster in the coming years.
RJ Ochoa: It means that Daxon is going to have a lot of time to prove that he can play in the NFL. Fingers crossed for him.
Dan Rogers: I feel the same way about Daxon as I do about Justin Rogers. Low expectations, but let’s see if one of these dudes has the strength the Z-man is looking for. With that bonus roster eligibility, he’ll definitely get a fair shot to show his stuff.
Will Malik Nabers regret calling out Trevon Diggs?
When questioned about which defensive back he is eager to face the most, Malik Nabers promptly named Trevon Diggs. This declaration sparked a Twitter exchange, during which Nabers posted a coffin emoji on Law Nation’s tweet. The coffin signifies Nabers’ confidence in his skills to outshine Diggs in their upcoming matchup.
That then led Diggs into a reply.
Someone needs to inform Nabers that Dallas has emerged victorious in six consecutive games against the Giants. Furthermore, since 2013, the Cowboys have secured victory in 18 out of the last 22 matchups between the two teams.
The Cowboys and Giants face each other in Week 4 on Thursday Night Football.
Tom: As far as this one goes, I just have two words that Nabers should have considered before talking about Diggs: Daniel Jones
Brian: The whole back-and-forth banter between Malik Nabers/Trevon Diggs is pretty ridiculous. Neither one really has a leg to stand on. Nabers may be the next great WR, but he has Daniel Jones throwing him the ball and Diggs will have to prove he’s the player he once was after last year’s season-ending knee injury. Each player has a lot to prove first before the trash-talking can be taken seriously.
Jess: Nabers should’ve checked his history with the Giants being 1-13 against Dallas over the last seven years. Even Anthony Brown would’ve been getting Ws over him.
Matt: I actually don’t mind Nabers’ comments and I think it creates some much-needed intrigue between the two organizations. The Cowboys/Giants rivalry has lacked some juice since 2016, so this may be something to get things ignited again. In the end, Nabers may have to eat some crow if Trevon Diggs is able to slow him down, but anything to get the rivalry back in full force is a win in my book.
RJ Ochoa: Absolutely. Trevon Diggs seems to be one of the more underrated players in the entire NFL right now. So many people are either underrating or outright forgetting that he is re-joining this team. Malik Nabers is awesome, but tread lightly here.
Dan Rogers: Nabers is a talented receiver and he’ll give Trevon Diggs fits at times. I expect him to dominate the Cowboys in the same manner as OBJ did, which is a highlight here and there but mostly contained. And whatever he does, it will be in a losing effort.
Stephon Gilmore still remains available. Should the Cowboys look to re-sign last year’s standout cornerback?
Stephon Gilmore, a former Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro cornerback, remains unsigned despite being just a month away from training camp. In 2023, he showcased his durability and productivity by playing and starting in all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys, tallying two interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and a forced fumble, all accomplished at the age of 33.
The Cowboys welcome back Trevon Diggs after his recovery from an ACL injury, but doubts linger about his performance early in the season as he gets back to full strength. Gilmore has expressed his patience in selecting the perfect team. However, supporters eager for the seasoned veteran should consider the team’s acquisition of former first-round corner, Gareon Conley. While there is a gap in talent between the two players, this decision provides insight into the Cowboys’ approach towards their investment in the cornerback position.
Tom: I don’t see how it could hurt. But in this case, I also get why there is a price point the team doesn’t want to exceed. That is probably going to determine how this one goes, as the perception is that Gilmore was in no hurry to sign and had to participate in off-season/minicamp stuff. I figure he is going to wait to see what offers hit the table for him, and that could mean waiting until well into training camp. That makes me fairly certain he is going to be paid more somewhere else than Dallas would even consider.
Brian: Stephon Gilmore is still available open market for a reason. He’s no longer the player he once was and had to have offseason shoulder surgery. If the price is right though the Cowboys should probably consider re-signing him for depth and insurance purposes. Cornerback is one of the positions Dallas has been hit pretty hard the last couple of years with injuries.
Jess: I’m probably in the minority, but I feel like Dallas profited with Gilmore last year and should step away from the table. He’s ancient for the CB position and was showing a decline last year. With Jourdan Lewis back on just a one-year deal, I’d rather see snaps go to Caelen Carson, Eric Scott, and other guys who may need to take on bigger roles in 2025.
Matt: Stephon Gilmore had a heck of a season last year, but barring injury Dallas’ CB room is too crowded for the veteran to be a realistic addition. The Cowboys are high on young corners Eric Scott Jr and Caelen Carson and with Jourdan Lewis back on a one-year deal, there isn’t a real for Gilmore at the moment. However, if someone goes down with an injury in training camp, Dallas could reach back out to the veteran
RJ Ochoa: There is nothing that anyone can say to convince me that this is a bad idea. I recognize not wanting a progress-stopper, but he was fantastic down the stretch last season.
Dan Rogers: I love Gilly, but he’s more of a luxury than a necessity. The Cowboys simply cannot afford to spend those extra cap resources on him. I think the cornerback group will be strong with Diggs, Bland, and JLew, with Caelan Carson and Josh Butler rounding out the depth.