Even before the draft is complete, NFL teams start calling potential undrafted free agent targets to recruit them to sign with them. There is a pool of money (a little north of $100,000) set aside for signing bonuses for players who aren't drafted.

While finding a Tony Romo as an undrafted free agent is rare, there are always players who slip through the cracks. From Jeff Heath to Dan Bailey, the current Cowboys roster is stocked with former undrafted free agents, giving hope to players who didn't hear their name called over the weekend. Not much was expected of Cooper Rush at this time last year, but he impressed enough during minicamp, OTAs and training camp to eventually overtake Kellen Moore for the backup quarterback job last season.

Below are five key undrafted players who signed with the Cowboys and have a realistic opportunity to fight for a roster spot in training camp:

Charvarius Ward, CB, Middle Tennessee (6-1, 198, 32 1/4-inch arms, 10 1/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.44 40-yard, 1.71 10-yard, 37-inch vertical, 11-foot-0 broad jump, 7.52 three-cone, 12 reps

Ward didn't play football until his senior season in high school before two seasons at Hinds CC where he started two seasons at cornerback. Ward transferred to Middle Tennessee and became a full-time starter as a senior right cornerback, recording a team-best 14 passes defended. He passes the eye test with his height/length and collected 21 passes defended in his two FBS seasons, although he needs to be a better finisher at the catch point (zero interceptions as a senior).

When Ward wants to tackle, he stays low and finishes, but he tends to make business decisions, allowing his teammates to be the hero. On film, there are too many examples of him falling asleep at the wheel and his delayed diagnosis skills lead to completions or grabbing.

Overall, Ward has undeveloped play strength and instincts, but his speed and length for the position give him a fighting chance, making him an ideal practice squad corner.

Kameron "Kam" Kelly, CB/S, San Diego State (6-2, 204, 31 3/8-inch arms, 9-inch hands)

NFL Combine: 4.66 40-yard, 1.64 10-yard, 33-inch vertical, 10-foot-0 broad jump, 6.94 three-cone, 9 reps

A three-year starter at San Diego State, Kelly started as the "WAR" safety as an underclassman before moving to left cornerback for his senior season. He earned First Team all-conference honors at his new position and looked at home in press coverage.

Kelly is an aggressive run defender and competes with a physical edge, disrupting routes at the line of scrimmage and daring the quarterback to throw in his direction. He can pattern match early in the rep, but he struggles to match long speed and secondary burst at the stem.

Overall, Kelly is a versatile competitor who could compete for a Cowboys roster spot at cornerback or safety with his tough, physical nature.

David Wells, TE, San Diego State (6-6, 256, 31 7/8-inch arms, 9 5/8-inch hands)

Combine: 4.75 40-yard, 1.62 10-yard, 33-inch vertical, 9-foot-8 broad jump, 7.50 three-cone, 20 reps

A two-year starter at San Diego State, Wells is a high school quarterback who moved to tight end prior to his senior year. He spent the majority of his first few seasons on special teams before a breakout junior season with 25 catches for 294 yards and four scores, earning Second Team All-MWC honors.

His production as a senior declined and appeared to be an afterthought in the Aztecs' offense. However, Wells was a substantial part of the team's success due to his blocking. He looks the part of an NFL tight end with his sturdy, large frame and the competitive spirit to match.

Although he is a sluggish athlete with heavy legs in his routes, Wells can carve out an NFL career if he continues to develop his technique and point-of-attack balance as a blocker.

James Hearns, DE, Louisville (6-2, 239, 32-inch arms, 9 1/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.78 40-yard, 1.69 10-yard, 30-inch vertical, 7.20 three-cone, 22 reps

A two-year starter at Louisville, Hearns moved between a stand-up rusher and hand-on-the-ground defensive end as the Cardinals' scheme evolved the last few seasons. He led the team in sacks each of the last two seasons (17.5 sacks in his career). Although several would be categorized as coverage sacks, his motor got him home before anyone else.

Hearns never quits fighting to the quarterback, and several blockers in the ACC couldn't keep up with his motor and play speed. However, that won't be the case with most NFL blockers, and he will need to expand his rush plan and improve his consistency vs. the run to see the field.

Overall, Hearns is a tight-hipped rusher, but his determined edge speed and active hand use could earn him a rush specialist role in Dallas, ideally as a wide-nine defensive end.

Joel Lanning, LB/FB, Iowa State (6-1, 235, 32-inch arms, 9 3/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.74 40-yard, 1.77 10-yard, 33-inch vertical, 9-foot-6 broad jump, 7.05 three-cone, 26 reps

Lanning led Ankeny, Iowa, to a 14-0 record and state title in 2012, finishing with 3,384 total yards and 39 total scores as a senior quarterback. He played quarterback (19 touchdowns, seven interceptions) until moving to MIKE linebacker as a senior (third in Big 12 with 114 tackles), also seeing snaps on offense in the "Lan Ram" package at quarterback - played in 1,001 snaps in 2017 across all three phases.

Lanning comes to balance on the move, lowering his pads and bursting through his target as a tackler. He looked inexperienced in coverage in his one season at linebacker, but trusted his instincts to guide him, staying away from mental mistakes.

Lanning has a great backstory that illustrates his team-first mentality. With his determination and natural football IQ, he has a chance of making it as a special teamer, linebacker or fullback.

Other Cowboys undrafted free agent signings:

Jashon "Jay" Robertson, OG, Tennessee (6-2, 292, 33 1/4-inch arms, 9 1/4-hands)

Pro Day: 5.19 40-yard, 1.82 10-yard, 34-inch vertical, 9-foot-6 broad jump, 7.87 three-cone, 24 reps

Jacob "Jake" Campos, OT, Iowa State (6-7, 304, 33 5/8-inch arms, 9 1/4-inch hands)

Pro Day: 5.31 40-yard, 1.96 10-yard, 25-inch vertical, 8-foot-8 broad jump, 8.00 three-cone, 22 reps

Bryce Johnson, OT/G, St. Cloud State (6-5, 308, 34-inch arms, 10 1/4-inch hands)

Pro Day: 5.25 40-yard, 1.90 10-yard, 29-inch vertical, 8-foot-0 broad jump, 7.75 three-cone, 25 reps

Malik Earl, WR, Missouri State (6-2, 216, 31 3/8-inch arms, 8 5/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.56 40-yard, 1.57 10-yard, 31-inch vertical, 9-foot-6 broad jump, 7.33 three-cone, 17 reps

Marchie Murdock, WR, Iowa State (6-0, 201, 31 5/8-inch arms, 8 5/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.53 40-yard, 1.68 10-yard, 35-inch vertical, 10-foot-3 broad jump, 7.19 three-cone, 12 reps

Dalton Sturm, QB, UTSA (6-1, 206, 33 3/4-inch arms, 9 3/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.78 40-yard, 1.75 10-yard, 34-inch vertical, 10-foot-1 broad jump, 7.16 three-cone

Austin Larkin, DE, Purdue (6-3, 254, 33 1/4-inch arms, 9 3/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.95 40-yard, 1.71 10-yard, 28-inch vertical, 9-foot-7 broad jump, 7.20 three-cone, 21 reps

Dequinton Osbourne, DT, Oklahoma State (6-0, 300, 31 3/8-inch arms, 9 3/4-inch hands)

Pro Day: 5.15 40-yard, 1.84 10-yard, 24-inch vertical, 7-foot-10 broad jump, 7.86 three-cone, 24 reps

Edward "Ed" Shockely, LB, Villanova (5-11, 233, 30 3/4-inch arms, 9 1/4-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.86 40-yard, 1.69 10-yard, 30-inch vertical, 9-foot-5 broad jump, 7.20 three-cone, 28 reps

Kyle Queiro, S, Northwestern (6-2, 215, 33 3/8-inch arms, 9 5/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.75 40-yard, 1.67 10-yard, 32-inch vertical, 10-foot-2 broad jump, 6.94 three-cone, 16 reps

Donovan Olumba, CB, Portland State (6-2, 192, 32 7/8-inch arms, 10 1/8-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.62 40-yard, 1.62 10-yard, 36-inch vertical, 10-foot-6 broad jump, 6.91 three-cone, 9 reps

Tyree Robinson, S, Oregon (6-2, 202, 31 1/2-inch arms, 8 3/4-inch hands)

Pro Day: 4.54 40-yard, 1.62 10-yard, 37-inch vertical, 10-foot-10 broad jump, 7.10 three-cone, 10 reps

Jordan Chunn, RB, Troy (6-0, 239, 31 1/8-inch arms, 8 1/4-hands)

Pro Day: 4.67 40-yard, 1.63 10-yard, 32-inch vertical, 9-foot-0 broad jump, 7.09 three-cone, 19 reps