Dallas Cowboys sign former first-round cornerback Gareon Conley from UFL

The Dallas Cowboys have dipped once again into the UFL talent pool, signing former first-rounder Gareon Conley to a new deal on Tuesday. After finding success with both Brandon Aubrey and KaVontae Turpin over the last two seasons, the Cowboys are bolstering the bottom of the roster with a couple of standouts from the alternate league.

Conley was one of two former first-round cornerbacks that the Cowboys worked out last week. Now, the former Ohio State star has a new contract in the NFL after three seasons out of the league.

The Raiders originally drafted Conley with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of Ohio State. He had a good run with the Raiders before they traded him to the Houston Texans in 2019. He went on injured reserve, however, before moving to the UFL. This year for the DC Defenders, he notched two interceptions.

Now with the Cowboys, Conley will join one of the league’s highest-producing secondary units in the league. With Trevon Diggs on one side and DaRon Bland on the other, Dallas’ cornerbacks have dominated in takeaways over the last three seasons.

Last week, the Cowboys also worked out Conley’s DC Defenders teammate Deandre Baker. The New York Giants snagged Baker at No. 30 overall in 2019 out of Georgia. 

Cowboys add UFL’s top tackler Willie Harvey Jr.

The Cowboys have also reportedly signed linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. this week after hosting him for a workout, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The former Iowa State Cyclones standout is coming off of a productive season in the UFL with the St. Louis BattleHawks.

Harvey finished the 2024 season in the UFL with 78 tackles and four sacks in 10 games. He led the league in tackles, quickly drawing the eyes of NFL scouts. The 28-year-old also led all linebackers in tackles for loss with nine, as well as passes defended (six) and forced fumbles (two). His production led to him landing a spot on the All-UFL Team.

Harvey has been with the BattleHawks since 2023. He originally signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and played four games in three seasons after going undrafted. The Browns waived him in August of 2022, leading to the BattleHawks drafting him in November of that year.

Harvey will join a linebacker room with Micah Parsons, Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark and Markquese Bell, as well as younger additions like DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau.