To create some competition along the offensive line, Dallas agreed to terms with former Dolphins guard Robert Jones. Jones started 17 games for Miami at left guard during the 2024 season.

Here are five things to know about Dallas’ newest offensive lineman:

1. The basics

Name: Robert Jones

Position: OL

Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 321 pounds

Birthday: January 28, 1999

College: Middle Tennessee State

2. Brings position flexibility

The Cowboys believe Jones can play both offensive guard spots. While he started all 17 games last season on the left side, Jones previously lined up at right guard during his Miami stint. Before he moved on to the NFL, Jones mainly played right tackle at Middle Tennessee State.

Depth and adaptability are always favored in the league, especially at key spots on the offensive line.

3. Worked his way up as an undrafted free agent

Jones wasn’t drafted in 2021, choosing to join the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. He survived Miami’s final roster cuts in August that year, securing a spot on the 53-man roster as a rookie.

He quickly got a chance to make an impact, appearing in a Week 2 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Jones ultimately appeared in eight games throughout the 2021 season, starting in Week 18 against the Patriots at right tackle.

4. Didn’t start playing football until high school

Jones picked up the game fairly quickly considering he didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. Before he took up football, Jones played basketball while he was growing up in the Chicago area.

He admitted he wanted to be like Chicago basketball icons Derrick Rose and Michael Jordan in a 2020 interview with goblueraiders.com. When he didn’t make the basketball team at Rockford East High School, Jones was asked to take up football by an assistant coach and former NFL running back named David Hampton.

“He came to me and said I was a walking meal ticket,” Jones said. “He said with my size I had an opportunity to feed my family and get my family somewhere I never thought I would be. He convinced me to try out for the team. He had played in (the NFL) so I figured he knew what he was talking about.”

5. Took the JUCO route after HS

After his high school graduation, Jones went to Highland Community College in Kansas. He spent two seasons at the junior college before transferring to Middle Tennessee State in 2019.

According to 247Sports, Jones received offers from schools like UMass and Georgia State before committing to Middle Tennessee in January 2019.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.