FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys wasted no time following the 2019 NFL Draft in acquiring additional needs with undrafted free agents. They addressed several spots left open in the roster and here is a list of the scramble the team picked up post-draft:
Jon’Vea Johnson WR, Toledo
As a Rocket, Johnson had his strongest season in 2016 as a sophomore totaling highs in total yards (773) and touchdowns (10) with 40 receptions (second-highest). He had a surge in 2018 as a senior with 32 receptions for 660 yards, a career-high 20.6-yard average after the catch, and nine touchdowns. He was a deep threat for Toledo that was great at adjusting to throws on routes.
Jalen Guyton WR, North Texas
As a Mean Green receiver in his final two college seasons, he tallied 49 receptions for 775 yards, a 15.8 average after the catch, and nine touchdowns. As a senior in 2018, Guyton amassed 54 receptions for 805 yards, a 14.9 average after the catch, and six touchdowns. He was a top-six SPARQ athlete in the 2018 wide receiver class. He played with Kyler Murray in high school, and transferred from Notre Dame to the JUCO.
Mitch Hyatt OT, Clemson
He entered Death Valley as a top recruit in the country, earning first-team USA Today High School All-American recognition. As a tiger, he was named third-team All-American as a freshman after starting 15 games at left tackle. In 2016, he was a second-team All-Conference pick after starting 14 games at LT and in 2017; the Associated Press named him a second-team All-American. In 2018, Hyatt was a Jacobs Trophy winner for the second year in a row, and repeated as a first-team All-ACC selection. One of his greatest assets in the o-line is his ability as a swing tackler.
Brandon Knight OT, Indiana
In 2016 Knight suffered a season-ending leg injury that kept him out of early season competition in 2017, but was able to play in the latter part of the season at right tackle for the Hoosiers with eight game starts. In his senior year in 2018, he earned All-Big 10 honors for his standout play as a right tackle in 12 games. He has quickness to slide in the line opening up holes from gap-to-gap, boosting the running game.
Derrick Puni OT, Central Missouri
The three-year starter battled injuries during his college career at Central Missouri, but accumulated three All-America honors and two All-Region. One of the left tackle’s greatest strengths in college, was using his size and force to hold onto defensive ends longer at the line of scrimmage, giving runners more time to break for the end zone on long runs.
Chris Westry CB, Kentucky
The four-year starter for Kentucky had two interceptions as a Wildcat in 2015 as a freshman. He started 12 games as a first-year-player and earned SEC All-Freshman team recognition after recording 36 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, and breaking up eight passes, in addition to his two interceptions. He started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2016 and tallied 43 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups. He played the first eight games his junior year, but was benched in the second half of 2017. His senior year in 2018, in 13 appearances he had 21 tackles, one for loss, and two pass breakups. Westry is a solid press man-to-man cover corner.
Ricky Walker DT, Virginia Tech
As a Hokie, he started in the latter part of his sophomore year to rack up 28 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, and four pass breakups in four games. Walker earned honorable mention All-ACC notice for his outstanding play in 2017, recording 41 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 13 game starts. In 2018, he tallied 49 tackles, 10.5 for loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, moving him up to second-team all-conference recognition. He is a predominately three-technique player with strong burst off the line of scrimmage and lateral movement.
Daniel Wise DT, Kansas
Wise comes from a strong football family and displayed that background his junior season, earning first-team All-Big 12 notice leading the Jayhawks with 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and 53 total stops in 12 game starts. He had another standout season the following year as a senior, earning first-team all conference recognition with 34 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and five sacks. Wise is a three-technique guy who has the right footwork to get around blockers and move into the backfield. Great tackle range and athleticism to change direction in space.
Andrew Dowell LB, Michigan State
Dowell amassed five turnovers in 2017 in big games (two vs. Michigan, two vs. Penn State, and one vs. Ohio State). He had a standout career-high season his senior year, totaling 97 tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, and 3.5 sacks. He played both man-to-man and zone coverage with strong backpedal skills to drop back and access the play to make his move on the ball.
Luke Gifford LB, Nebraska
Gifford was a centerpiece of the Huskers’ struggling defense with an inconsistent defensive coordinator in place. In 2017 as a junior, he amassed 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one pass defensed, and one interception. In 2018 as a senior, he tallied 52 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. He was an honorable mention on the 2018 All-Big Ten teams, recognized for his contribution to Nebraska’s defense. Gifford has the right motor and grit on the field to give his best in any situation. He can be a rotational LB and has a hard-nose style of play.
Nate Hall LB, Northwestern
In 2017, Hall started all 13 games and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors with 79 tackles, 16.5 for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. He suffered an ACL tear at the conclusion of the 2017 season in December, but returned for the 2018 season opener to receive another honorable mention All-Conference selection as a senior. He racked up 51 tackles, 5.5 for loss, three interceptions, and two pass breakups. He is a strong side linebacker with strong physicality to attack zone gaps.
Justin Phillips LB, Oklahoma State
As a senior, Phillips recorded 98 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 13 game starts. He played in the bowl game in each of the five years he spent with Oklahoma, even though he set out the 2015 season. The inside linebacker is an explosive tackling machine and shows great awareness in coverage.
