Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/19
The latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: LB D’Juan Hines, DE Lenny Jones (injury settlement)
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: OG Dustin Stanton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: FB Aaron Ripkowski, DT Henry Mondeaux, WR Josh Crockett
Ripkowski is notable for being the Packers’ fullback for three seasons from 2015-17. None of Mondeaux, Crockett, or Stanton have ever appeared in a regular season game. Hines appeared in 13 games with the Browns last season playing exclusively on special teams, while Jones has been bouncing around various practice squads the past few years.
Latest On Cowboys, Elliott, Prescott, Cooper
With the Cowboys having begun negotiations with both Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, they appear to be ahead of Ezekiel Elliott in the team’s extension hierarchy. Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones confirmed as much this week.
During an appearance on Pro Football Talk Live (via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram), Jones said the Cowboys would like to have Prescott and Cooper extended before the season because it is “the right thing to do.” However, no timeline exists for Elliott, despite his superior production compared to his aforementioned teammates.
“He’s the straw, if you will, that stirs our drink. He’s a key part of what we’re about,” Jones said. “Certainly, he’s a priority in terms of ultimately getting him signed. But there hasn’t really been a timetable put on this.”
At this point, Elliott has no holdout plans, Hill adds. This was rumored to be a possibility going into Dallas’ offseason program. But it is somewhat safe to assume that stance could change, depending on how talks unfold — if they unfold — this offseason. Elliott’s fifth-year option has him under Cowboys control through 2020.
Jones said at the Combine that Todd Gurley‘s four-year, $57.5MM deal will likely be the starting point for Elliott. He reiterated that position this week. Gurley, David Johnson and Le’Veon Bell changed the running back marketplace. After no running back was attached to an eight-figure-per-year salary a year ago, Gurley, Johnson and Bell now each make north of $13MM per year. That provides a better road map for Elliott. However, Gurley now faces uncertainty because of a knee injury and Johnson is coming off the worst season (from a per-touch standpoint).
Elliott has accumulated far more touches through three years (1,003) than either Gurley or Johnson, but mileage probably isn’t a concern yet regarding the 23-year-old back. But it’s not certain Zeke will have a new deal in place by Week 1. That would take this situation to a more interesting place, especially if both Prescott and Cooper are signed by then.
The Cowboys have been reported as being unlikely to enter Russell Wilson financial territory for Prescott, and while Cooper’s price point is not known, it would be a bit of a surprise if the inconsistent wideout eclipsed Antonio Brown‘s deal. But it’s clear the Cowboys want these talents taken care of early. They would follow DeMarcus Lawrence in being extended. Elliott, Byron Jones and Jaylon Smith remain as young Cowboys eligible for new deals, however.
Cowboys Lose Scout To Raiders
- Mike Mayock identified a new key presence in his scouting department. Cowboys west coast area scout Jim Abrams will become the Raiders’ new college scouting director, Alex Marvez of Sirius XM Radio and ESPN.com’s Todd Archer report (Twitter links). Abrams worked with Gruden during part of the Raiders HC’s Buccaneers tenure and has nearly 30 years of NFL experience.
Cowboys Add 13 UDFAs
The Cowboys announced their 13-man UDFA group Tuesday. One familiar-looking name appears on this list. Here is the full contingent:
- Larry Allen Jr., OL (Harvard)
- Andrew Dowell, LB (Michigan State)
- Luke Gifford, LB (Nebraska)
- Jalen Guyton, WR (North Texas)
- Nate Hall, LB (Northwestern)
- Mitch Hyatt, T (Clemson)
- Jon’Vea Johnson, WR (Toledo)
- Brandon Knight, T (Indiana)
- Justin Phillips, LB (Oklahoma State)
- Derrick Puni, T (Central Missouri)
- Ricky Walker, DE (Virginia Tech)
- Chris Westry, CB (Kentucky)
- Daniel Wise, DE (Kansas)
Allen is indeed the son of Hall of Fame Cowboy Larry Allen. Like his father, Larry Allen Jr. primarily works as a guard. He earned first-team All-Ivy League honors twice. While Clemson’s defensive line received the draft attention, Hyatt was a two-time first-team All-American.
The younger brother of Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, Daniel Wise was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 player. Westry stands 6-foot-4, making him a natural fit for Kris Richard‘s scheme. One of three linebackers in this group, Phillips led Oklahoma State in tackles last season. Dowell was among the Big Ten’s 2018 tackle leaders, registering 97 with the Spartans as a senior.
This Date In Transactions History: Cowboys Rule Out Re-Signing Greg Hardy
On this date three years ago, Greg Hardy officially blew his second chance. In the midst of the 2016 draft, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters that he had officially ruled out the possibility of re-signing the embattled defensive end. 
Hardy was long considered to be one of the NFL’s most imposing edge rushers, but things took a turn in May of 2014 when he was arrested for allegedly abusing and strangling his ex-girlfriend. After suiting up for the first game of the 2014 season, Hardy was parked on the commissioner’s exempt list and did not return to play in another game for Carolina. The Panthers decided they were done with Hardy, but the Cowboys rolled the dice on him by inking him to a one-year, $11.3MM contract prior to the ’15 campaign.
After serving a four-game ban to start the 2015 season, the Cowboys’ faith in Hardy was not necessarily rewarded. Yes, Hardy managed six sacks across 12 games and, yes, he still managed to grade out as the league’s 28th-best edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus. However, he was not nearly as dominant as he was during his peak years and Hardy was routinely late to team meetings and practices. After dealing with the attitude issues and the PR headaches, the Cowboys decided that they wanted out of the Hardy business.
The rest of the NFL reached a similar conclusion. Teams, for the most part, steered clear of the one-time Pro Bowler. The Jaguars briefly considered signing Hardy, but shut the door on him in August.
“Well, I mean, to me, there are a lot of issues,” Jags owner Shad Khan said. “You have to understand them all and the only way is to experience them first-hand. What the upside/downside might be – I think we’re not even close to a decision like that.”
Hardy failed to reboot his career after that, but you can still find him on ESPN. The 30-year-old (31 in July) recently turned his attention to mixed martial arts and is now a member of the UFC’s heavyweight division. Over the weekend, Hardy defeated a Russian journeyman by the name of Dmitry Smoliakov who, frankly, looked defeated before the first punch was thrown. Hardy now boasts a professional record of 4-1 in MMA with many fans calling for a step up in competition in his next bout.
His next opponent is TBD, but this much is clear: Hardy’s future is confined to the cage and his NFL playing days are undoubtedly over.
Cowboys To Be Cautious With Byron Jones
- The Cowboys are expected to be extremely cautious with cornerback Byron Jones, who underwent offseason hip surgery, the Dallas Morning News’ Jon Machota tweets. Machota mentioned Jones, a breakout star in his first season as a cornerback, will be “highly managed,” but they do expect him to be ready for the start of the season.
Raiders Acquire No. 149 From Cowboys
The Raiders made the decision to make a slight move up in Round 5, and the Cowboys will receive an additional seventh-round pick in this deal.
In moving up to No. 149 from No. 158, the Raiders dealt No. 218 to the Cowboys. Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow became Oakland’s eighth pick in this draft.
Largely a slot contributor to both of Clemson’s recent national championship teams, Renfrow finished his career as a four-year cog in the Tigers’ offense. He totaled 186 receptions for 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns in college, including a rather notable game-winning reception from Deshaun Watson as a sophomore. He will join a Raiders team that has overhauled its receiver group.
Renfrow will attempt to carve out a role on the Raiders. He joins Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant among the new talent coming to work with Derek Carr.
Cowboys Trade No. 136 To Bengals
The Bengals have acquired No. 136 from the Cowboys, reports Marisa Contipelli of Bengals.com (via Twitter). Cincinnati will send Dallas No. 149 and No. 213.
The Bengals have used their pick on Ohio State center Michael Jordan. Not to be confused with the NBA legend nor the dude who was in Black Panther, this Jordan started 14 games for the Buckeyes this past season. In 2016, Jordan was the first Ohio State freshman to start on the offensive line since Orlando Pace.
Bengals 2018 first-rounder Billy Price earned All-Rookie honors this past season, so it’s unlikely that Jordan sees much time at center. The rookie could move to one of the guard spots, a position he played early on during his Ohio State tenure.
Allen Hurns On The Trade Block?
- Breer writes that 49ers‘ DE Arik Armstead is also expected to draw some trade interest, though he remains in San Francisco’s plans. Raiders‘ DT Justin Ellis is also said to be available, while Cowboys WR Allen Hurns is the best wideout that could be had via trade [SOURCE LINK].
Safety A Primary Cowboys Draft Target?
- Linked to safeties for two offseasons now, the Cowboys brought in six for pre-draft visits. Stephen Jones mentioned (via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams) the position as having the least amount of resources put into it of any on the Cowboys’ roster. After bypassing this need in last year’s draft, Dallas will be a team to monitor on this front.