Dallas City News

Cowboys workout two former first-round picks – Nick Harris, Dallascowboys.com

The Dallas Cowboys could be bringing in reinforcements ahead of training camp.

On Tuesday, the Cowboys hosted Michigan Panthers linebacker Noah Dawkins, St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., DC Defenders cornerback Gareon Conley and DC Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker.

Dawkins, who played three seasons with the Buccaneers and Jets from 2019-2021, tallied 38 tackles for the Panthers in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound second-level defender played his college ball at The Citadel where he was a first-team All-Southern Conference honoree in 2018.

Harvey Jr. was the UFL league-leader in tackles (78) in 2024 as well as the linebacker leader in tackles for loss (9) and forced fumbles (2). Originally an undrafted signing for the Browns in 2019, Harvey Jr. played two seasons in Cleveland in 2019 and 2021 before being released.

Conley is a former first-round pick from the Oakland Raiders in 2017 where he spent two-and-a-half seasons before being traded to the Houston Texans to finish the 2019 season. He would then spend the final year of his rookie contract on injured reserve before signing with the Defenders in 2023. His two interceptions in 2024 were tied for fifth in the UFL.

Baker, another former first-round selection, began his NFL career with the New York Giants in 2019 where he notched 61 tackles and eight pass deflections as a rookie. An arrest following his rookie season for armed robbery put him on the commissioner’s exempt list before the Giants waived him after just one year. Baker would eventually have the charges dropped before landing on the Kansas City Chiefs where he played in 10 games across two seasons before suffering a broken femur.

New Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer returns to Dallas with more than just his trademark intensity – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports

After some time away, Mike Zimmer might bring a softer coaching approach.

“It’s not relaxing in the coach’s room. He [Zimmer] holds coaches to be responsible. I’ve been around him long enough to know that whatever you tell him you’re going to do, he’s going to hold you to it and he’s not going to forget it,” said Cowboys assistant defensive line coach Greg Ellis, who played nine seasons under Zimmer in Dallas from 1998-2006 — a stretch in which Zimmer was both an assistant and the team’s DC. “That’s the good thing about him. … I really couldn’t think of a better coach to be under to be honest with you.”

He’s no longer yelling at Ellis, Dallas’ eighth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, quite as much, something the former player-turned-coach is relieved about.

“I have tremendous respect for him when I played for him because he’s a tremendous teacher of the game,” Ellis said. “He taught me a lot about the game. To be on the other side of it with him is something different for me.”

Some of the Cowboys’ defensive staff who are working alongside Zimmer for the first time in 2024 and haven’t yet experienced being on the receiving end of his trademark intensity know it’s only a matter of time.

“I haven’t caught the wrath yet, but I know it’s coming,” Cowboys defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina said. “I’m fine with that. It makes you a better coach and a better player when you get the wrath. He just wants to win like all of us. That’s the passion that drives him.”

Marshawn Kneeland, Cowboys’ 2024 second-round pick, signed to four-year deal – Staff, Dallas Morning News

The Cowboys now have all of their draft picks under contract.

The Dallas Cowboys have at long last signed their 2024 second-round pick defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

Taken with the 56th overall pick, Kneeland was surprised to get drafted by the Cowboys after his senior season at Western Michigan, where he earned second-team All-MAC honors. Dallas seems him as a potential successor to 32-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence, as it tries to beef up its run defense after a disappointing end to the 2023 season.

Kneeland was the only member of the Cowboys’ 2024 draft class to not receive a contract during rookie minicamp back in early May. He is now signed to his four-year rookie deal, which will make a dent in Dallas’ newly increased cap space and get it closer to a full 90-man roster.

Proposed CeeDee Lamb trade with Green Bay crazy enough to work – Randy Gurzi

CeeDee Lamb won’t possibly be traded… right?

In his article, Gagnon had Green Bay surrendering Jayden Reed and a second-round pick along with either Romeo Doubs or Christian Watson. At first, this seems as though the Cowboys wouldn’t listen to the trade but after some consideration, it might be crazy enough to work.

Dallas would be giving up the biggest star but they could wind up with a completely re-made wide receiving corps.

Cowboys could land a slot WR, speed threat, and still have a premium pick

First, the Cowboys would land an excellent slot receiver in Reed. The second-round pick from Michigan State was integral to Green Bay’s success in 2023, hauling in 64 receptions for 793 yards and eight touchdowns.

As for Watson and Doubs, the upside arrow points to Watson. Another second-round pick, Watson (6-foot-4 and 208 pounds) was a star at North Dakota State but has struggled with durability in the pros.

He’s appeared in 23 games and has 69 receptions for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Cowboys know he can be explosive since his first three scores in the NFL came during a comeback win for Green Bay in 2022. In that game, Watson had 107 yards and three touchdowns on just four receptions.

Doubs has been more durable and had 674 yards and eight touchdowns off 59 receptions this past season. Still, if the Cowboys wanted a more consistent player, he would be the choice.