FRISCO, TX—The Dallas Cowboys hosted a workout for four United Football League players at their facility on Tuesday. Two of them were former first-round draft picks. 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.
Gareon Conley, a former first-round pick, spent 2.5 years with the Oakland Raiders after the Raiders drafted him in 2017. The Raiders traded him to Houston in 2019 before he joined the DC Defenders in 2023. He had two interceptions in 2024 in the UFL.
Deandre Baker, another former first-round draft pick and member of the DC Defenders, was drafted by the New York Giants back in 2019. He had a productive rookie season with 61 tackles and eight passes defended before an arrest for armed robbery derailed his career. Baker had the charges against him dropped before he joined the Kansas City Chiefs for ten games over two seasons.
Noah Dawkins played four seasons in the NFL with the Bucs, Jets, and Panthers from 2019-21 and then 2023. He spent last season with the Michigan Panthers.
Finally, most notably, the Cowboys hosted St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., the UFL’s leading tackler in 2024 with 78. He led all linebackers in tackles for loss (9) and forced fumbles (2). Harvey Jr. spent two seasons in the NFL with Cleveland in 2019 and 2021 before he was released.
The Cowboys hosted this workout in order to shore up any holes that still remain in their defense. If any of these athletes can help Dallas add depth, the help is welcome. Harvey Jr. showed the most promise in the UFL last season and could prove to be a role player for the Cowboys next season.
According to the Cowboys’ official website, Dallas currently has two roster spots open with just over a month remaining before the Cowboys head to Oxnard, California, for the start of training camp.
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