National Football League

Cowboys, Raiders scoop up former second-round picks

Published May. 20, 2014 5:33 a.m. ET

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A pair of second-round picks from the 2011 NFL Draft who wore out their welcome with their original teams found new homes on Monday.

Running back Ryan Williams, the 38th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals out of Virginia Tech who was released by the Cardinals last week, was signed by the Cowboys to add depth to their backfield. In announcing the signing, Dallas announced it released undrafted rookie Glasco Martin.

Coincidentally, Williams will likely back up DeMarco Murray, who was taken 33 picks after Williams in that 2011 Draft. Murray is coming off the best season of his career with 1,121 yards and nine TDs on 217 carries, along with 350 yards receiving with one TD on 53 catches. All of those numbers are career-highs.

The Cowboys also have Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle in their backfield. Williams has 164 yards rushing on 58 attempts in three injury-plagued seasons. He has never scored a regular-season TD.

In Oakland, the always-in-the-market-for-a-receiver-with-speed Raiders announced Monday they claimed Greg Little off waivers.

Little, selected 59th overall by Cleveland, was waived by the Browns last week, a week after a 24-hour window that saw the team draft QB Johnny Manziel and then reveal star wideout Josh Gordon may be suspended for all of next season.

Little's career in Cleveland was a mixture of flashes of brilliance and critical drops and blunders — the latter happening far too often for the Browns to accept anymore. Cleveland signed veteran free agents Miles Austin & Earl Bennett, which made Little expendable.

Unlike Williams, Little did see success on the field, leading the team in receptions in 2011 & 2012. Little also had issues off the field, receiving a citation for drag racing last season after crashing his car at 127 mph. He also was reportedly issued 93 parking tickets on multiple vehicles while at the University of North Carolina.

In three seasons, Little played in all 48 regular-season games, starting 41 and racking up 155 catches, 1,821 yards and eight TDs.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report

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