Did the Dallas Cowboys just land themselves another undrafted gem?

With a long and rich history of acquiring talent via the undrafted free agent pool, could it be possible that the Dallas Cowboys landed another hidden gem?

The NFL draft is the exact definition of an inexact science. There is probably no better team to prove this point than the Dallas Cowboys. Each year, hundreds of draft hopefuls go the entire weekend without ever getting a call from one of 32 teams in the NFL. They never see their name or highlight reel show up on the television. For a short period of time, it appears their dream has died.

Post draft, teams still add several players as undrafted free agents, however. This exercise is where the Dallas Cowboys have become savants, if you will. Throughout history, the Cowboys have found some supreme talent where other teams chose to look the opposite way. Old school greats such as Drew Pearson and Everson Walls came to Dallas without any draft status.

Pearson ended his Cowboys career as the all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He still ranks fourth in franchise history in both categories. Walls, meanwhile, played just eight seasons in Dallas as is still second in team history with 44 interceptions.

In the eighties and nineties, long-time starters Bill Bates and Mark Tuinei carved out long, successful careers without being selected in the draft. The most prolific quarterback to ever wear a Dallas Cowboys uniform found his way to the Metroplex as an undrafted free agent. Tony Romo, the franchise leader in yards, touchdowns, passer rating went neglected 262 times, seeing 13 other quarterbacks chosen in 2003.

Recent contributors like Miles Austin and Cole Beasley at receiver, La’el Collins along the offensive line, Jeff Heath in the defensive backfield and special teams standouts Chris Jones and Dan Bailey have all played big roles in team success. All were never drafted.

This year, thirteen players were signed to the Dallas Cowboys roster as undrafted free agents. Given this team’s history, it would not be shocking if one of these players found his way onto the roster come September 1st.

Below are the baker’s dozen that will have their shot to prove the scouts and talent evaluators wrong. I have linked their NFL.com player profiles when possible.

Offense

Jalen Guyton, WR, North Texas
Jon’Vea Johnson, WR, Toledo
Mitch Hyatt, OL, Clemson
Brandon Knight, OL, Indiana
Larry Allen, Jr., OG, Harvard
Derrick Puni, OL, Central Missouri

Defense

Ricky Walker, DT, Virginia Tech
Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas
Luke Gifford, LB, Nebraska
Nate Hall, LB, Northwestern
Justin Phillips, LB, Oklahoma State
Andre Dowell, LB, Michigan State
Chris Westry, CB, Kentucky

If you are looking for a few names to really watch during OTA’s and training camp from this list, here are the three I think may have a real shot at a roster spot.

Mitch Hyatt

Hyatt going undrafted will probably never turn out to be the joke that Tom Brady being selected 199th overall became, but it’s still laughable. All he did for one of the best college programs in the Nation was be named All-Conference four times and an All-American three. He’s also quicker and stronger than fellow Clemson offensive lineman Jonah Williams who was drafted 11th overall. Hyatt might be another classic Cowboys coup.

Daniel Wise

As a three-year starter at Kansas, I was shocked he went undrafted, mostly because I had a late fourth, early fifth round grade on Wise. Over the past three seasons, he has totaled 37 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He has a good pedigree as his both his father and brother made it to the NFL as well. Although a bit undersized as a defensive tackle, he makes up for it with agility, quickness and technique.

Nate Hall

It never hurts to have a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and Hall has shown flashes of just that. Starting all four years at Northwestern, Hall posted 22.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 5 interceptions and two fumble recoveries over his junior and senior seasons.