What the Cowboys are getting in latest UFL signing DT Perrion Winfrey

The Cowboys are giving Perrion Winfrey a second chance at the NFL.

In the aftermath of OTAs and minicamp being the first on-field work for the completely overhauled Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and a host of new players, the team continued to add to their roster on Wednesday with the addition of two new defenders. Ever since the draft, it has been apparent that the experienced Matt Eberflus, most recently the head coach for the Chicago Bears, has had his significant share of influence when it comes to rebuilding the defense Mike Zimmer left behind after just one mixed result season as DC.

The Cowboys targeted cornerback with their second-round pick in April’s draft, and passed on wide receiver entirely on day three, instead opting for a pair of defensive tackles in Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote. These were the first signs of some of the new ways roster building would be handled in Dallas, and the trend continued at both positions Wednesday with the free agent signings of CB Robert Rochell and DT Perrion Winfrey.

The Cowboys will now try do something two previous NFL teams could not with Perrion Winfrey, and that is to capture the upside of a former fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma. With Winfrey coming from a blue chip college program, and being a former Senior Bowl player, it is easier to see why the Cowboys have some vision for how he’ll fit into their new culture.

Winfrey was actually the MVP of the 2022 Senior Bowl before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys drafted six other Senior Bowl players that year, five of which are still here as Winfrey’s new teammates. Dallas spent their second-round pick on Sam Williams, third on Jalen Tolbert, fourth on Jake Ferguson, and fifth-round picks on Matt Waletzko, Damone Clark, and John Ridgeway.

An off-the-field incident led to Winfrey lasting just one season in Cleveland, where he did appear in 13 games as a rookie. This off-field issue led to a misdemeanor arrest but ultimately charges were dismissed.

The following season in 2023 would be his last in the NFL to date, as he signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets and made it to the active roster for one game. In October of 2024, at just 23 years old still, Winfrey signed to continue his football career in the UFL with the Birmingham Stallions.

Winfrey was an all-UFL player this season, as part of a defense that was top three in total yards allowed per game, rushing yards allowed per game, and points allowed per game. The Stallions won the USFL conference regular season title, but lost to league MVP and player of the year Bryce Perkins and the Michigan Panthers in the conference championship game. However, when Perkins played against Winfrey and the Stallions defense in the regular season, he had his lowest completion percentage, yardage, and yards per attempt outputs of the year. He also threw one of his two interceptions on the season, which actually ended up in the hands of Winfrey after a lateral.

That play can be seen right here:

The Stallions won 21-12 on the defensive effort coordinated by longtime coach Corey Chamblin, though it is Winfrey’s position coach along the defensive line that’s far more meaningful when it comes to him now being a Dallas Cowboy.

Birmingham’s defensive line coach is Ron Burton, a former Cowboys linebacker from 1987-89. Like Winfrey, he was an undersized defensive lineman, so much so in this case that he made the switch to linebacker. The undrafted free agent out of North Carolina made the most of it though, leading the team in special teams tackles as a rookie, and then being named a defensive starter in 1988.

Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Burton went on to play one year for the Phoenix Cardinals and one for the Los Angeles Raiders before getting into coaching in 1992, something he’s continued to do all the way until now with the Stallions. If there is any lasting connection between Winfrey and his position coach in the UFL, the proof is right there in front of the latest Cowboys signee that the circumstance of how you make the roster is irrelevant compared to what you do with the opportunity.

Although his most recent stop in the NFL was as brief as can be, just one game for the Jets, Winfrey will also reunite with a coach he had in New York as Aaron Whitecotton is now the Cowboys defensive line coach. Having Whitecotton on the staff was seen as an advantage towards the Cowboys signing veteran free agent Solomon Thomas from the Jets, so time will tell if the same can be said about adding Winfrey to the same position group and meeting room as Thomas.

The headline on Winfrey’s arrival will be how he helps the Cowboys stack up bodies on the interior against the run. At his best, Winfrey is a player with flashes of athleticism to shed blocks and use his strong upper body to get into the backfield. He also has some quickness and change of direction ability to bring a little upside in pass rush. For as much negative attention the Cowboys lack of 1-technique depth has gotten, the offseason story has been much more positive at 3-technique thanks to Osa Odighizuwa. With this position being the single most important spot in Eberflus’ defense, re-signing Odighizuwa to anchor it was an easy choice the Cowboys made early on, but just like at the other tackle spot there is still a need for more depth.

The Cowboys may have tipped their hand that they feel the same way about a potential hybrid role for Winfrey, as the corresponding roster move to sign him was the release of former seventh-round pick Justin Rogers. Rogers was a pure of a run stuffer with zero pass rush upside, but his second stint with the team comes to an end before training camp. The Cowboys upgraded in athleticism, versatility, and experience when it comes to “swapping” Rogers for Winfrey.

The Cowboys have talked endlessly and relentlessly about their new culture under Schottenheimer this offseason. To have not only a strong culture but a winning one in the NFL, proper risks need to be taken from time to time on players with some red flags, but unquestionable talent. The team’s latest UFL addition is firmly in this category. They will have one of their most experienced coaches in Eberflus working with Winfrey, a former coach of his in Whitecotton, and team leaders like Micah Parsons on this side of the ball to try and make this second chance for Winfrey at the pro level stick.

The Cowboys defense has all the makings of one that really takes the league by surprise this season, with a plethora of new faces at all three levels, and the hope for significantly more support from an offense that failed last season. Winfrey possesses the upside to put his name at the top of this list of surprises if the Cowboys defensive line is able to do their collective job and help this team get back to winning the line of scrimmage more consistently.