The Dallas Cowboys are building their undrafted free agency rookie class and still have a handful of roster spots to fill to reach 90 players as of Sunday afternoon.
But one name in particular stands out among their post-draft signings: Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford.
The Cowboys showed how much they love the prospect out of Minnesota by paying him big-time money.
Per Michael Gehlken from Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys signed Spann-Ford to a guaranteed salary of $225,000 with a $20,000 signing bonus on top of it. The $245,000 guaranteed money number is one of the highest around the NFL we've seen so far.
From what I have seen so far, the highest paid UDFA's in guaranteed money
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) April 28, 2024
WR Xavier Weaver, Cardinals: 255K
RB Blake Watson, Broncos: 250K
RB Kendall Milton, Eagles: 250K
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, Cowboys: 245K
CB Ja'Quan Sheppard, Raiders: 230K
S Owens/WR Williams/QB Hartman: 225K
Within the Cowboys organization, it's easy to see it's an expensive signing. Last year, the front office opened the wallet to land FB Hunter Luepke ($220K) and OL Earl Bostick Jr. ($240K).
One year later, Spann-Ford exceeds both of those numbers, a clear indication that the team genuinely believe he can be an NFL player.
The money is never a guarantee to make the team, just like the two above examples from last year suggest. Luepke made the cut while Bostick Jr. will be fighting to make his NFL debut this year.
It will be a challenge for Spann-Ford to make the cut as the tight end room will feature a fierce competition. Spearheaded by Jake Ferguson, the unit has Peyton Hendershot, Luke Schoonmaker, and John Stephens Jr., who would've made last year's 53-man roster had it not been for a preseason injury that landed him on Injured Reserve.
That's without getting into Princeton Fant and new UDFA Alec Holler.
But that doesn't mean Spann-Ford can't shock the world. Just read The Athletic's Dane Brugler's evaluation of the tight end: "(He) must improve his consistency - especially in the red zone - for him to stay on an NFL field, but he is a smooth athlete with the body flexibility and toughness that translates to the pro game. He will interest NFL teams looking for a promising Y-tight end prospect with rotational upside."
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