Dax Swanson and Isaiah Frey to Cowboys: Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The Dallas Cowboys added depth to their secondary Monday by signing cornerbacks Isaiah Frey and Dax Swanson.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle was among the many to report the news.   

The Chicago Bears selected Frey in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. The Nevada product was on the practice squad until making his debut for Chicago in 2013, playing 16 games and racking up 37 tackles that season.

Frey split time between Chicago and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 before landing on the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad last season. The Steelers cut Frey on May 9, per ESPN's Jenna Laine.

Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli ran Chicago's defense when the Bears drafted Frey, so there is some familiarity between the two.

Swanson entered the NFL in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Sam Houston State. He has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and New England Patriots, but he has yet to see any regular-season action.

The moves come after the team cut cornerbacks Terrance Mitchell and Brandon McGee on Friday. Mitchell contributed for Dallas last season, as he recorded an interception, a sack and a forced fumble in three games.

The Houston Texans picked Mitchell up on waivers on Monday, according to the Dallas Morning News.  

ESPN.com's Todd Archer noted that the decision to release Mitchell was unexpected.

"The decision to part ways with Mitchell was somewhat surprising," Archer wrote. "He recorded one of the two interceptions by Cowboys cornerbacks last year and was splitting time at corner and safety in the offseason. Head coach Jason Garrett praised Mitchell’s work earlier this offseason."

Frey has more overall experience in the NFL. But Mitchell played well for Dallas, and he already had a role in the team's current defensive scheme. Marinelli may like Frey more for his plans moving forward, which could have made Mitchell expendable.

Dallas ranked fifth in the league last year in passing yards allowed, so the secondary is already in good shape. The Cowboys are only moving around role players, so Monday's transactions are low-risk.  

Player statistics are courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Team statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.