Cowboys release former 1st-round pick before Day 4 of camp practices

The Cowboys gave the former Ohio State Buckeye a shot, but he was unable to capitalize and will now be a free agent. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys gave it a chance, but have decided to move in another direction. The organization kicked the tires on former Oakland Raiders first-round pick Gareon Conley this summer, hoping to unearth the potential that made him a tantalizing prospect during the 2017 draft season. The former Ohio State cornerback was taken No. 24 overall.

He lasted three years in the league , playing through 2019 and was most recently in the UFL, where he caught the attention of Dallas’ pro scouts. Unfortunately it looks like he did not show enough to the coaching staff and was released on Sunday.

Conley was trying to earn a spot on a top-heavy cornerback depth chart headlined by Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, two All-Pro cornerbacks. Diggs has yet to practice, being placed on the PUP list following his early-2023 ACL tear that knocked him out of the final 15 games of last season.

He’s expected to be back to practice sooner rather than later. Aside from the two interception kings, Dallas also has Jourdan Lewis and Caelen Carson locked in for roster spots, with a competition for fifth and further on the chart.