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Dallas Cowboys: 5 Free agents who could start at cornerback

By Randy Gurzi

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 19: Bashaud Breeland #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a possible interception later ruled an incomplete pass in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 19: Bashaud Breeland #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a possible interception later ruled an incomplete pass in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 03: Gareon Conley #22 of the Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans during a game at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

4. Gareon Conley

There was a time when Gareon Conley was one of the hottest names in the NFL. Coming out of Ohio State in 2017, Conley was a first-round pick of the Raiders (who were still in Oakland at the time). Conley was the second part of a deadly duo at OSU along with Marshon Lattimore, who was picked earlier than his teammate and has had a better career.

While Lattimore has been locking down wideouts and racking up Pro Bowls, Conley has struggled to find his footing. He missed a lot of time during his rookie campaign due to a nagging shin injury and played in just two games.

He was able to shake the injury bug in 2018 as he played in 15 games (with 14 starts) and had 37 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and three picks. The problem is, he was part of the previous regime (and didn’t go to Alabama) so Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock never seemed to be interested in keeping him.

Conley was shipped to Houston in 2019 after six games and still had some solid moments during that season despite changing teams. But then, Conley missed all of 2020 due to another injury and is still looking for his next NFL team.

Perhaps clubs are worried about the injury but if healthy, Conley could be an upgrade over many of the current players Dallas already has. And if we’re being honest, it’s never been a bad idea to sign first-round talent to a cheap, one-year deal when they have something to prove.

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