When the Dallas Cowboys hired Kris Richard to be their Defensive Backs Coach and Passing Game Coordinator in January of 2018, the philosophy of the defense changed immediately. Richard was known for attacking a certain way with tall, long and physical corners during his days in Seattle when he was the architect of the “Legion of Boom”. After last year’s NFL Draft, the Cowboys would sign Cornerback Donovan Olumba as an undrafted free agent who’s 6’2 205 pound frame fit actually what Richard was looking for.
Olumba had a promising training camp but failed to make the final roster and was waived last September. However, he would be signed back to the practice squad just a day later. Back in January, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys. A reserve/future contract is signed at the close of the regular season, before the start of the league year and adds the player to a 90-man offseason roster.
Training camp has been a good one so far for Olumba as his long frame and technique has caused some problems during one-on-one drills as well as 7 on 7 action.
https://twitter.com/JohnOwning/status/1157802480631078912?s=19
https://twitter.com/HelmanDC/status/1157802412024856576?s=19
The important thing for any player fighting for a roster spot is to translate practice reps to actual game reps. In the first two preseason games, Olumba has continued to make his name one that will be hard to ignore when deciding who makes the final roster cuts. In the first video below, Olumba does a great job of changing direction after being fooled by play action and records a PBU (pass break up) against the 49ers. In the next video from this last Saturday’s against the Rams, he recognizes the tunnel screen immediately and makes a play behind the line of scrimmage.
https://twitter.com/JohnOwning/status/1160960914209644549?s=19
https://twitter.com/DannyPhantom24/status/1162952095915479040?s=19
The Cowboys have their top four corners pretty much locked in with All-Pro Byron Jones, Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, and Jourdan Lewis. Donovan Olumba controls his own destiny so to speak to be the team’s fifth corner, making rookie Michael Jackson a possible practice squad candidate if things keep going as is. There are two preseason games left and anything can happen but for now, I see Olumba making the final roster.
