With a crucial season on deck, the Dallas Cowboys will need help from their 2023 rookie class. Which UDFAs did the Cowboys sign on top of their draft class, and who will be attending the team’s rookie minicamp? Here’s a comprehensive look at Dallas’ incoming group.
Which UDFAs Did the Cowboys Sign? Contracts and Notable Names
- D’Angelo Mandell, CB, BYU
- David Durden, WR, West Florida
- Durrell Johnson, LB, Liberty
- Earl Bostick Jr., OT, Kansas
- Hunter Luepke, FB, North Dakota State
- Isaiah Land, LB, Florida A&M
- Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR, Fresno State
- John Stephens Jr., WR, Louisiana
- Jose Barbon, WR, Temple
- Myles Brooks, CB, Louisiana Tech
- Princeton Fant, TE, Tennessee
- T.J. Bass, OL, Oregon
- Tyrus Wheat, EDGE, Mississippi State
Contract details weren’t available for all of the Cowboys’ UDFA signings, but some additions for Dallas scored particularly large paydays in the UDFA cycle.
Mississippi State EDGE Tyrus Wheat, who flashed his potential as a pass rusher at the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier in the year, received a $185,000 salary guarantee and a $20,000 signing bonus. Kansas offensive lineman Earl Bostick Jr. also received a deal in the neighborhood of $200,000.
Wheat and Bostick are two of the more intriguing prospects in the Cowboys’ UDFA crop, and their compensation reflects that. Bostick, in particular, has the athleticism and projected versatility to potentially carve out a role for the Cowboys. But the group is strong even beyond that.
MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades (FREE)
Myles Brooks is a ball hawk at 6’1″, 201 pounds, who accumulated three picks and eight PBUs at Louisiana Tech in 2022 before distinguishing himself at the Shrine Bowl. He also ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at his pro day and earned strong explosiveness marks.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper is also a candidate to make the most of his UDFA opportunity in Dallas. Though Moreno-Cropper is undersized at 5’11”, 172 pounds, he has 4.4 speed to go along with sharp route nuance and separation ability, strong catching instincts, and RAC utility.
Moreno-Cropper was incredibly productive at Fresno State, and his skill set is conducive to success in 1-on-1 drills. David Durden also bears watching, but more for his explosiveness and vertical ability downfield. At 6’1 1/2″ and 204 pounds, he has 4.46 speed, and a documented 37″ vertical and 10’7″ broad jump.
Other potential standouts in the Cowboys’ UDFA group include offensive lineman T.J. Bass and edge defender Durrell Johnson. Bass has projected tackle-guard versatility and heavy hands, while Johnson is a long, explosive threat in pursuit, who racked up 27 tackles for loss in 2022.
Who Will Be Attending the Cowboys’ Rookie Minicamp?
It is expected that all of the Cowboys’ 2023 NFL Draft picks and undrafted free agent signings will participate in rookie minicamp. The Cowboys drafted eight prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed 13 UDFAs, bringing their total to 21 rookie minicamp participants.
As of now, the Cowboys have not invited any additional UDFA prospects, nor have they invited any XFL standouts. If that changes ahead of Dallas’ rookie minicamp session, this article will be updated accordingly.
When Is the Cowboys’ Rookie Minicamp?
According to the 2023 Important NFL Dates on NFL.com, “Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.”
That excerpt leaves two date ranges open for the Cowboys to schedule their rookie minicamp — from May 5 to May 8 or May 12 to May 14. As of now, it hasn’t been confirmed which window Dallas will hold their rookie minicamp within, but we’ll update accordingly when it is confirmed.
At rookie minicamp, fans and coaches alike will get their first look at the Cowboys’ incoming class, which includes players like first-round DT Mazi Smith, second-round TE Luke Schoonmaker, and Big 12 product Deuce Vaughn at RB.
