Patrick Surtain II or Caleb Farley? That's pretty much the extent of a lot of fans way of thinking around Cowboys Nation right now and understandably so. The Cowboys desperately need to not only add depth to the cornerback position this offseason, but hopefully find upgrades as well. Surprisingly enough, a 2020 opt out could be part of that solution.
After signing a one-year deal last year with the Dallas Cowboys Maurice Canady was expected to be a big part of Dallas' cornerback depth for the 2020 season. Instead, he ended up being one of three Cowboys players who decided to opt out the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully though that one-year deal rolls over to the 2021 season.
With Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and C.J. Goodwin all possibly leaving in free agency the Cowboys without a doubt need more depth at the cornerback position. With so many bodies heading out the door, Maurice Canady has a chance to emerge as a candidate who could compete for a starting job in 2021. However, there's a lot that could happen between now and then.
At 6'1″, 193 pounds, Maurice Canady fits the mold Dan Quinn prefers in his outside CBs and his past experience gives him a bit of an advantage over any incoming rookie the Cowboys may add through the draft. Any advantage, even a slight one, could go a long ways in earning that starting job that has eluded him most of his career.
Earning a starting job isn't going to be easy though and could be even harder if the Dallas Cowboys are looking for players who could potentially be salary-cap casualties. In Maurice Canady's case, the Cowboys could save a little over $1 million by making him a pre-June 1 cut. In an offseason where money could be tight, that alone could already seal his fate in Dallas.
As things stand right now though Canady has just as good a shot at not only playing a significant role with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, but potentially earning a starting job as any other CB they may add in the offseason. He may be an afterthought by many around Cowboys Nation, but that doesn't mean he's not in the mix.
Maurice Canady might be a name you want to remember for future reference. He may seem like a long shot to earn a starting job with the Cowboys right now, but things can definitely change in a hurry depending on what happens the rest of the offseason. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ends up playing a significant role in 2021, quite possibly as a starter.
