Dallas Cowboys Sign Offensive Lineman Hakeem Adeniji Ahead of NFL Draft

FRISCO, Texas – With the NFL Draft just one week away, the Dallas Cowboys have bolstered their offensive line by signing former Cleveland Browns lineman Hakeem Adeniji. The 27-year-old Garland native agreed to terms with the Cowboys to join their 90-man offseason roster.

Adeniji has accumulated five seasons in the NFL across three teams. His last stint with the Cleveland Browns was cut short due to a knee injury sustained in preseason, resulting in his placement on injured reserve for the entirety of the 2024 season.

Drafted in 2020 by the Cincinnati Bengals as the first pick of the sixth round, Adeniji made an impact in his early career, appearing in 46 games and starting 15, including seven playoff games. He played a significant role as a starter at guard during the Bengals’ Super Bowl LVI run.

After his release from Cincinnati in August 2023, Adeniji joined the Minnesota Vikings, where he was initially signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in October 2023. Over there, he saw action in four games, primarily on special teams.

During his college football career at Kansas, Adeniji was a standout performer, starting in all 48 games played and earning accolades including a spot on the All-Big 12 first team in 2019.

The addition of Adeniji marks the Cowboys’ third signing on the offensive line this offseason, following the acquisitions of Saahdiq Charles and Robert Jones. With Zack Martin’s future uncertain, Adeniji will be competing for the right guard position alongside Charles, Jones, Brock Hoffman, and T.J. Bass.

The Dallas Cowboys, who allowed 52 sacks last season, the third-most in the NFL, are keen to improve their offensive protection. “Hakeem provides versatility with his experience at both tackle and guard positions, which is essential for our plans moving forward,” said a Cowboys official.

As the draft approaches, it remains to be seen if the Cowboys will select additional offensive line talent to further reinforce this unit. Over the last seven draft cycles, they have consistently prioritized adding depth to their offensive line.