The Cowboys don’t need another headache, but is Terrion Arnold worth a look for a potentially subpar cornerbacks room?
Here’s the thing, Terrion Arnold isn’t some free-agent corner sitting around in July waiting for a camp invite. He’s a former first-round pick with a ton of talent, and also has serious felony charges hanging over him right now.
Dallas would be dumb to ignore either side.
He was released by the Detroit Lions after being arrested in connection with kidnapping and armed robbery charges. He has since pleaded not guilty. Therefore, this case is not close to being finished.
This legal cloud is going to be floating over Arnold like his own personal rain-cloud, and any team sniffing around has to know what comes with it.
I think the plus side for the Cowboys is this type of situation isn’t the first player they have dealt with who has or has had legal issues. They are familiar and pretty good at handling this stuff.
You don’t usually find a 23-year-old corner with this type of talent just sitting around in free agency unless something has happened.
Terrion Arnold Has Alabama Ties in Dallas
I know just about every team in the NFL has a player or players from the University of Alabama. They are a perennial powerhouse with seemingly every position filled with a five-star recruit.
Dallas is not different and has two players who crossed paths with Terrion Arnold during his time at Alabama.
With that being said, he wouldn’t be walking into Dallas not knowing anyone. He would have a couple of familiar faces.
The first person would be Caleb Downs. They spent one year together in 2023 in the secondary at Alabama before Downs moved on to Ohio State. Downs was a freshman and Arnold was a sophomore.
I found that he also overlapped with Tyler Booker in 2022 and 2023. Being on different sides of the ball, they may not have had much contact, but I would guarantee they knew each other.
We all know that doesn’t clean up the legal side of this predicament, but it might matter if Dallas wants some real background on Terrion Arnold.
A team has to do more than read news articles and watch tape when the situation is as dire as this one. They have two people in the building to ask how Arnold was when the cameras weren’t around. How did he practice, handle coaching, and what was he like in the locker room?
That insight is better than squinting at some random reports hoping they get it right.
I don’t know if that is enough to sign him, but it might be enough to at the very least get him on the phone.
The Football Fit is Easy
I may be the only one that thinks this, but to me the football side of it isn’t complicated.
The Cowboys have major questions at cornerback. That may be the biggest weakness on the team right now. I know it was last year.
Dallas has talent in the room, but I know talent on paper doesn’t settle much when the depth chart is one injury away from everyone holding their breath.
That’s where I think this Terrion Arnold to Dallas could have some legs.
Cornerback is one of those positions where it seems like teams talk themselves into taking swings on former first-round picks to see if they can pull out the talent. How many times has Dallas taken a chance on a former early round draft pick who didn’t pan out somewhere else?
Terrion Arnold, just as a player, you cannot deny the talent. He proved he could play in the NFL in his rookie season in Detroit.
I just hope if Dallas does make the call, or has made the call, it isn’t just about football. That side of it is easy, but the legal issue and possible league punishment could mess with his availability.
The contract, if one is offered, would have to have some serious protections built into every corner of it.
If Dallas does in fact look into him, I don’t want any soft landings, no promises, and heavy protection for the team.
For me, I would make the call. There is too much talent in Terrion Arnold to act like he doesn’t exist, but also too much trouble around him to act like this is just another cornerback visit.
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