The Dallas Cowboys are hoping to have found another undrafted gem after the 2025 NFL Draft. Dallas gave linebacker Justin Barron of Syracuse a $20,000 signing bonus and roster bonus of $234,000 if he makes the practice squad this season.

Precedence suggests that the Cowboys have a keen ability of identifying undrafted players who can become quality contributors at the NFL level.

Current undrafted players expected to make the 53-man roster include Terence Steele, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas, and Hunter Luepke. The Cowboys have also hit on undrafted players such as Tony Romo, Dan Bailey, and Ron Leary in the past.

Barron has a chance to be an early contributor for a Dallas linebacker unit that is patiently awaiting the recovery of breakout star DeMarvion Overshown.

With free agent acquisition Kenneth Murray slated to be the starting MIKE linebacker and second-year pro Marist Liufau slotted at the SAM linebacker, Barron will compete with Jack Sanborn and fellow rookie Shemar James for the WILL linebacker position while Overshown recovers.

Ben Cooper of Pro Football Focus lists Barron as an undrafted free agent to watch this offseason.

“Barron earned 70.0-plus PFF run-defense grades in each of the past three seasons, and his 263 tackles over the span formed one of the highest totals in college football among linebackers and box safeties. He also allowed just two touchdowns on 144 career targets in coverage while breaking up nine passes,” Cooper wrote.

Barron brings potential value as a versatile chess piece on a defense with his experience playing slot corner, linebacker, EDGE, and free safety in college.

The reality here? This is practice squad stuff first. And maybe special-teams stuff above that.

Still, with the PFF endorsement?

Barron will be an intriguing player to keep an eye on during training camp as he looks to carve out his spot on the roster.