Cowboys Cut CB And DT In Exchange For Pair Of Former 4th Round Picks

The Dallas Cowboys have enjoyed a fairly drama-free offseason – minus the Micah Parsons contract extension noise, which has yet to be figured out. And of course the somewhat questionable acquisition of controversial Steelers receiver, George Pickens, for the hefty price of a 2026 third round pick.

But outside of that, crickets.

To add a pinch more spice to the offseason, the Cowboys made an interesting pair of moves on Wednesday, bringing in a pair of former fourth round picks, Robert Rochell and Perrion Winfrey.

And in a corresponding move, they cut cornerback, Luq Barcoo and defensive tackle, Justin Rogers.

What Do These Additions Bring To The Cowboys?

Robert Rochell has an underrated pedigree in the NFL, with the former 2021 fourth round pick having started five games in his debut season with the Los Angeles Rams, helping the franchise win Super Bowl LVI back in February 2022.

Rochell went on to play in all seventeen games the following season, although the majority of that was on special teams, with the Central Arkansas product managing just 26 snaps on defense over the course of the whole year.

After being cut after 2023 training camp, Rochell bounced around some practice squads before landing in Green Bay, where he played a role in 9 games in 2023 – although he did not see any action in this past season with the franchise.

Now landing in Dallas, Rochell may actually have an opportunity to make some inroads into the starting lineup. At present, former Bills first round cast-off, Kair Elam, is projected to start on the perimeter opposite Trevon Diggs, who may or may not be ready for the start of the regular season as he recovers from a injured knee that has pained him since he tore his left ACL early on in the 2023 season.

So Rochell has multiple routes to the starting lineup, if he is able to show form closer to what the Rams saw in the 2021 season. Even if Shavon Revel Jr., the Cowboys’ rookie third round pick, manages to snag a starting role, Rochell could be a meaningful participant in third down dime and dollar packages.

Could Perrion Winfrey Add Much To The Cowboys’ Defense?

Perrion Winfrey was selected early on in the fourth round 2022 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, but his ability and projection as a pure playing prospect should have easily landed him as a day two pick.

And the same character concerns that lead to his drop also lead to his subsequent release the following summer, when he was cut by the franchise for multiple off-the-field incidents.

Winfrey has played just one game since his rookie year in Cleveland, and that came with the New York Jets in 2023.

There is no doubt that underneath his chequered past there is serious talent. And historically the Cowboys have been willing to gamble on….unorthodox personalities who have the ability to back up the risk.

With Mazi Smith and Oza Odighizuwa entrenched as the starters, but not a ton behind them, Winfrey does have an outside shot at a roster spot – and potentially one as an impact backup behind Dallas’ two main men in the middle.