IRVING, Texas -- Through the years the Dallas Cowboys have been able to coax productivity from early-round draft picks that did not produce at previous spots. Linebacker Rolando McClain (first round, Oakland Raiders, 2010) is the most recent example.
On Thursday, the Cowboys worked out two former first-round picks and two former second-round picks at running back and wide receiver.
The most curious workout was Felix Jones, one of the Cowboys’ two first-round picks in 2008. The Cowboys made no attempt to re-sign him when his contract expired in 2012 after he struggled with his health and production. Jones played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013 and was out of football last season.
The Cowboys also worked out wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. After failing to catch a pass as a rookie, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs and caught 17 passes for 223 yards in two seasons there.
Word of Ben Tate's visit circulated early Thursday morning. He was a second-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2010. Daniel Thomas was the Miami Dolphins' second-round pick in 2011, nine spots before the Cowboys took DeMarco Murray. In 52 games with the Dolphins, Thomas (6-foot, 225 pounds) ran for 1,480 yards and 10 touchdowns on 409 carries.
The Cowboys also worked out wide receivers Kris Durham, Tommy Streeter and B.J. Cunningham. Durham played for offensive coordinator Scott Linehan for two years with the Detroit Lions with his best season coming in 2013, when he caught 38 passes for 490 yards and two touchdowns. He caught four passes for 54 yards in a win against Dallas that year.
The Cowboys also worked out former Arkansas running back Ronnie Wingo Jr.
