National Football League

Cowboys sign pair of draft picks, unload 3 veterans

Published May. 8, 2015 8:36 p.m. ET

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IRVING, Texas (AP) The Dallas Cowboys signed fifth-round pick Ryan Russell and seventh-rounder Mark Nzeocha (en-ZAH-chuh) on Friday and released linebacker Dekoda Watson and waived linebacker Troy Davis and tackle Donald Hawkins.

Russell is a defensive end out of Purdue, and Nzechoa is a linebacker from Wyoming. They were among the five defensive players drafted by Dallas.

Receivers George Farmer of Southern California and Antwan Goodley of Baylor were among the undrafted free agents at the first day of rookie minicamp Friday.

The only quarterback signed to a rookie free agent deal was UTEP's Jameill Showers, who lost a battle with Johnny Manziel for the starting job at Texas A&M in 2012 before transferring.

Watson played in one regular-season game last year and in both playoff games.

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