The Dallas Cowboys have made some interesting moves by signing former UFL players to bolster their defense. One of the new signings is linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., who had an impressive season with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL, leading the league with 76 total tackles. Another addition to the Cowboys is cornerback Gareon Conley, a former first-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2017, who played for the DC Defenders in the 2024 UFL season and recorded two interceptions and 25 total tackles.
The UFL, co-owned by Dwayne Johnson, has been providing opportunities for football players who have been cut from NFL rosters to showcase their skills at the professional level. With the recent signings of Harvey and Conley, the number of UFL players joining NFL rosters has now reached nine.
While the Cowboys have maintained a strong defense over the past couple of seasons, they have undergone some changes with the departure of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who took on the head coach position with the Washington Commanders. In his place, former Cowboys assistant coach and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who previously coached the Minnesota Vikings, has been re-hired to lead the defense. Additionally, star players like Micah Parsons, Dak Prescott, and CeeDee Lamb are all due for contract extensions.
The Cowboys’ decision to bring in new talent from the UFL shows their commitment to strengthening their roster and remaining competitive in the league. It will be interesting to see how Harvey and Conley will contribute to the team’s defense and if they can make an impact on the field. As the NFL offseason progresses, fans can expect more updates on player signings and team developments as they gear up for the upcoming season.