IRVING, Texas -- Every year the Dallas Cowboys seem to find one or two undrafted players to make the roster as rookies and become contributors.
Last season it was guard La'el Collins and wide receiver Lucky Whitehead, although Collins can hardly be considered the traditional undrafted free agent said he was viewed as a first-round talent entering the draft.
In previous years they have added Jeff Heath, Cole Beasley, Ronald Leary, Lance Dunbar, Barry Church and Dan Bailey. Of course, the most famous of the undrafted free agents is quarterback Tony Romo, who passed on more money from the Denver Broncos to sign with the Cowboys in 2003 out of Eastern Illinois.
The Cowboys have made significant investments in undrafted free agents, but among the 14 players they have agreed to deals with this year Jacksonville wide receiver Andy Jones received the largest signing bonus at $15,000. No other player received a signing bonus of more than $7,500.
Jones had 144 receptions for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. He tested unbelievably with a 41.5 vertical jump and 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump. If it doesn't work for him at wide receiver, the Cowboys might give him a try at cornerback as well.
Last year, the Cowboys fully guaranteed Collins' three-year deal worth close to $1.6 million. They also shelled out a $55,000 guarantee to wide receiver George Farmer, who was cut early in training camp.