Dallas Cowboys Eye Veteran Talent Amidst Roster Shake-Up: Joint Practice Set, Controversial Workouts Underway
Oxnard, CA – The Dallas Cowboys are leaving no stone unturned in their relentless pursuit of a championship, actively fine-tuning their roster with a series of high-stakes player workouts and strategic preparations for the upcoming season. The latest buzz from Cowboys camp includes the announcement of a joint practice with their NFC rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, set for August 5th in Oxnard – a recurring tradition expected to provide invaluable competitive experience.
As the team ramps up, five notable free agents are currently undergoing rigorous evaluations: defensive tackles Perion Winfrey and D’Veal Levelston, cornerbacks Jerry Jacobs and Robert Rochell, and veteran offensive tackle George Fant. While the Cowboys are unlikely to sign all five, the expectation is that they might secure one defensive tackle and one cornerback, or potentially none at all, as they meticulously shuffle the bottom of their roster.
Winfrey’s Redemption Bid & Defensive Line Dilemmas
Among the workout participants, Perion Winfrey, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, stands out due to a checkered past. His NFL career was significantly impacted by off-field issues, including a misdemeanor assault and a robbery accusation, which led to his release from the Cleveland Browns. However, he found a second chance in the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions, where he reportedly performed well. The Cowboys’ decision to work him out signals a willingness to take a calculated risk, though his past conduct will undoubtedly require thorough vetting. Both Winfrey and Levelston are described as more in the “Neville Gallimore-range” of defensive tackles, suggesting they might serve as rotational players rather than primary starters, raising questions about whether they truly address the Cowboys’ core defensive tackle needs for a dominant interior presence.
D’Veal Levelston, an undrafted free agent from SMU, briefly spent time with the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad in 2024 before playing for the Memphis Showboats in the USFL. He’s viewed primarily as a “classic UFL player” capable of plugging run lanes, likely brought in as a “camp body” to provide depth and competition during the preseason rather than a significant roster addition.
Bolstering a Thin Secondary
The Cowboys are also keenly addressing their cornerback depth, a position currently thinned by injuries to key players like Trevon Diggs. This urgency has led to workouts for journeyman corners Jerry Jacobs and Robert Rochell. Jacobs, an undrafted free agent from the 2021 class, previously contributed to the Detroit Lions, even recording three interceptions in the 2023 season. Despite his NFL experience, he’s considered a depth option who might contend for a final roster spot depending on the health of other cornerbacks. Rochell, a 2021 fourth-round pick by the Rams, has bounced around multiple NFL teams, predominantly serving as a special teams player. His inconsistent NFL tenure suggests the Cowboys are exploring every available option to bolster their secondary, even if it means taking a flyer on players still looking to find a consistent home.
Fant’s Veteran Presence: A Crucial Asset?
Perhaps the most compelling name among the workout participants is George Fant, an experienced offensive tackle. An undrafted free agent, Fant has accumulated nearly 5,000 career snaps in the NFL, playing for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Houston Texans. His valuable versatility, having played over 2,000 snaps at both left and right tackle, could be a significant asset for the Cowboys’ relatively young offensive line. His extensive experience could provide much-needed depth and veteran leadership, particularly as a swing tackle option. Furthermore, his prior connections with Cowboys coaching staff, such as defensive line coach Aaron White Cotton and assistant Tanzel Smart (from their Jets days), could play a role in his evaluation, offering invaluable insights beyond raw performance.
The overall sentiment regarding these workouts is that while they offer competition and potential depth, they may not fundamentally resolve the Cowboys’ most pressing roster deficiencies. The team is looking to shuffle the bottom of their roster and foster internal competition, but the long-term impact of these potential signings remains to be seen as they continue their journey towards Super Bowl contention.