Gareon Conley, Cowboys Agree to Contract; Raiders' 2017 1st-Round Pick Played in UFL

The Dallas Cowboys have reached a contract agreement with cornerback Gareon Conley, a former NFL first-round draft pick who spent this year with the UFL's DC Defenders.

The Oakland Raiders selected Conley, a former Ohio State star, with the No. 17 overall choice in the 2017 NFL draft. He only played two games during his rookie season after suffering a shin injury. Conley then suited up for 15 games in 2018, starting 14 and amassing 37 tackles, 15 passes defended and three interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

In Oct. 2019, the Raiders traded Conley to the Houston Texans. He played 14 games that season, totaling 50 tackles, 13 pass breakups and one interception.

Conley hasn't played in the NFL since then. Houston placed him on the reserve/injured list in 2020 (ankle injury), and he missed that whole season. Conley's contract ran out after the year ended.

In seven games with the Defenders, Conley had 25 tackles (20 solo), two interceptions and five pass breakups.

Conley had a successful workout with the Cowboys last week, per team staff writer Nick Harris. Now he gets a second shot in the NFL after a four-year absence.

Conley already has an old connection in Dallas, as his former Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, serves as the Cowboys' defensive run game coordinator.

In addition to Conley, the Cowboys also announced that they signed linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., the UFL's leading tackler last season.