Dallas Cowboys: Will Andy Jones provide depth on roster?

The Dallas Cowboys have a star as the top wide receiver in Dez Bryant and have a veteran in Terrance Williams who are most likely going to be the top two wide outs entering the season, as has been the case for the past few years, but the rest of the spots for the wide receiver position, and even come cornerback sports should be up for grabs.

For the Dallas Cowboys, one new addition to the roster and a player who can possibly earn a roster spot as one of the wide receivers or cornerbacks is rookie undrafted free agent Andy Jones, who the Cowboys must have thought highly of as they gave him a $15,000 signing bonus, the largest they gave out this season.

Jones is a 6-2, 200-pound wide receiver who can compete with the rest of the Cowboys’ wide receiver roster (or cornerbacks), coming off a season with the Jacksonville Dolphins (a member of the FCS), where he had 60 receptions for 890 yards, averaging 14.8 yards per reception and eight touchdowns as a wide receiver. In his four seasons with Jacksonville (41 games), he totaled 144 receptions for 2,120 yards, averaging 14.7 yards per reception and 17 touchdowns.

The newest wide receiver for the Cowboys had five games this past season of over 100 yards, including games of 118, 135, 133, 133 and 122 yards, respectively. Jones had one game of two touchdowns in ’15 against Davidson on Nov. 7.

Now, how can the undrafted rookie free agent make his mark with the Cowboys?

For Jones, in his ESPN Insider pre-draft profile, he was the 133rd ranked wide receiver in the class, and he was timed with a 4.54 40-yard dash. He’s also played time as a cornerback during his collegiate career as well, about the same time as No. 5 overall selection Jalen Ramsey.

Todd Archer of ESPN.com wrote this of Jones last week:

"“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.”"

What is good about Jones is though he might not be the best player on the roster, but he’s versatile at two different positions as he can play cornerback as well, and like Archer said, if Jones doesn’t work out at wide receiver, he can try making his way in the NFL at cornerback, where the Cowboys could use some depth as well.

During the draft process at his pro day, Jones worked out as a cornerback, as Aaron Williams of the National Football Post wrote this of Jones and that workout:

"“He also participated in defensive back drills along with top cornerback Vernon Hargreaves at the Baltimore Ravens’ request at the University of Florida Pro Day on March 22 and did exceptionally well. He with the Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets following the Gators’ Pro Day.”"

Maybe the Cowboys have a player in Jones who will be able to provide to the defense more so than the offense, and to be honest, I believe the Cowboys would be better off if he’s able to be the cornerback they need to provide more depth to their defensive backfield and possibly special teams.

Right now, the Cowboys have nine cornerbacks already on the roster, including draft selection Anthony Brown from Purdue, and there is already the likes of Brandon Carr, Josh Thomas, Morris Claiborne and others looking to be on the roster as well this upcoming season.

If Jones were to make it as a wide receiver, they already have 11 on the roster (including Jones), so it will be an uphill battle either way. If he’s able to make his mark with this team, it will be well earned, and one battle that should be looked forward to seeing how it turns out this offseason … and who doesn’t like the underdog story when an undrafted free agent makes the roster?

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Remember, the current starting quarterback of the Cowboys was an undrafted rookier free agent one time and look how that has worked out for the franchise, so anything is possible.

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