Cowboys bring in Nat King Cole’s grandson for workout

The Dallas Cowboys brought in several UFL players for a workout including defensive end Wyatt Ray, the grandson of music legend Nat King Cole, according to the Dallas Cowboys official website.

Ray, 27, spent this past UFL season with the San Antonio Brahmas where he logged 5 1/2 sacks, which tied for sixth most in the league.

The former Boston College standout last played in the NFL in 2022 when he appeared in three games for the Denver Broncos and one with the Tennessee Titans. Prior to those stints, Ray spent a season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 and a year with the Titans — mostly on Tennessee’s practice squad.

Originally signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Ray has also spent time on the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets practice squads and was briefly signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In addition to Ray, the Cowboys also worked out defensive end Jonathan Garvin, defensive end Derick Roberson and running back John Lovett. Lovett also spent last season with the Brahmas while Garvin and Roberson played for the Birmingham Stallions and DC Defenders, respectively.

The Cowboys have had an extremely uneventful offseason. Their most notable free-agent signings have been linebacker Eric Kendricks and running back Ezekiel Elliott on one-year deals. It’s no surprise that they continue to try to find bargains via the UFL. They recently signed former UFL standouts linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. and cornerback Gareon Conley.

Dallas has had success over the last two offseasons by going this route. The Cowboys signed KR/PR/WR KaVontae Turpin out of the USFL two years ago. He’s been their primary kick and punt returner ever since, and is regarded as one of the top returners in the league, making the Pro Bowl in 2022. He has also become a bigger part of the offense over the last two seasons and more is expected this year.

Additionally, Dallas signed kicker Brandon Aubrey out of the USFL last year. He ended up being one of the NFL’s best kickers last season, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. Jerry Jones has shown this offseason that he’s not too interested in making significant investments in Dallas’ roster, so the Cowboys are expected to continue bargain shopping.

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(Photo: Wes Hale / UFL / Getty Images)