The Dallas Cowboys have signed a former Green Bay Packers cornerback after all but not ex-Packers corner Jaire Alexander, who recently joined the Baltimore Ravens.
Dallas instead signed former Packers cornerback Robert Rochell on Wednesday to boost secondary depth. Rochell, a former fourth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success as Alexander but has enough experience to contribute for Dallas.
A Louisiana native, Rochell has played in 48 games over four seasons, and he has three fumble recoveries, an interception, four pass deflections, and 25 tackles in his career. The Rams started him for five games as a rookie, and the Packers played him in 20 games during the past two seasons.
Green Bay used Rochell as a special teams player amid 233 snaps in that span. The Rams also used him heavily as a special teams player in 2022 amid 325 snaps.
While Rochell has played through the ups and downs of getting cut and landing on practice squads around the league, his biggest challenge came off the field in 2023. Rochell endured a serious car accident in February 2023, but he returned to the field that fall between stints on multiple practice squads before he joined the Packers roster that year.
Cowboys Needed CB Depth, Were Linked to Jaire Alexander
GettyRobert Rochell makes a tackle for the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
Dallas needs the depth as injuries continue to affect the secondary. Josh Butler (knee), Shavon Revel Jr. (knee), and Trevon Diggs (ACL) are all dealing with injuries at the moment.
Dallas previously had been linked to Alexander, a former second team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. However, Alexander was likely going to cost significantly based on his prior contract with the Packers — four years, $84 million. Baltimore gave him a one-year, $4 million deal, but he also had the incentive joining former college teammate and superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Cowboys Also Sign DT Perrion Winfrey
Besides the Rochell signing, the Cowboys also signed defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, who had been playing for the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. The Cleveland Browns previously drafted Winfrey in 2022 with a fourth-round pick, and he moved over to the UFL after two seasons in the NFL.
Winfrey played in 13 games for the Browns in 2022 where he recorded 22 tackles, two pass deflections, and 0.5 sacks. Cleveland released him after the 2022 seasons, and he joined the New York Jets practice squad, and he played in one game amid 13 defensive snaps and one special teams play.
The former Oklahoma standout did well with the Stallions this year amid a sack, forced fumble, 29 tackles, and four pass breakups as he made the All-UFL team. Winfrey helped the Stallions reach the conference finals in the playoffs before a loss to the eventual runner-up Michigan Panthers.
Similar to Rochell, Winfrey will help with depth at another position of need for the Cowboys. In addition, Rochell continues another trend for the Cowboys in signing former UFL players. Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin and kicker Brandon Aubrey previously played in the UFL.
To make room for Rochell and Winfrey, Dallas waived cornerback Luq Barcoo and defensive tackle Justin Rogers. Barcoo has only appeared in three career games, and Rogers has yet to play in an NFL game.
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