The Dallas Cowboys lost their top cornerback when Byron Jones went to the Miami Dolphins in free agency. With an obvious hole to fill, the Cowboys responded by not only adding multiple pieces at the position in the NFL Draft but also via free agency, giving the Cowboys a nice collection of talent across the board.
Now with the pieces in place, this is how I see the Cowboys cornerback depth chart playing out.
After stealing Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb out of Oklahoma with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cowboys made waves again just a round later when they snagged Cornerback Trevon Diggs out of Alabama. Diggs, at around 6’2 and 205 pounds, has a rare combination of size and length at the cornerback position. As a former receiver, he has very good ball skills and can read the instincts of his opponent and use his size to disrupt routes. Even as a rookie, look for him to lead the way as the Cowboys CB1.
Maurice Canady, signed in March, will provide veteran experience behind Diggs. In his four years in the NFL, Canady has appeared in 32 games with four starts (three starts in 2019 for the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens).
Veteran cornerback Daryl Worley, who put ink to paper on a Cowboys deal in April, will likely be the starter opposite Diggs as CB2. Worley has more game experience than the aforementioned Canady even though they both entered the league in 2016. He’s started 49 of the 56 games he’s appeared in with 34 pass breakups (no less than eight in any season) and five interceptions.
Just behind him is where you’ll find rookie Reggie Robinson out of Tulsa, a second/third-round talent who the Cowboys stole in the fourth round with the 123rd pick. Much like rookie counterpart Diggs, Robinson has the size and length at around 6’2 and 205 pounds. In his four years in college, he had 34 pass breakups and four interceptions (also blocked four kicks in college). Robinson is a very solid piece to have in the event Worley struggles.
The nickel/slot cornerback position will have some stiff competition between Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown. Due to new Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan’s scheme which will look to create more turnovers I feel Lewis has the leg up on Brown. When Brown went down with a triceps injury last season, Lewis showed his worth after being held back under Kris Richard who wanted bigger and longer corners in his scheme. Lewis finished tied for the team lead with two interceptions and recorded four sacks.
Brown has been a solid corner himself since entering the NFL in 2016. He’s gotten great experience starting 33 of a possible 56 games and registering four interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Brown is a nice option to have behind Lewis and push him for the top spot in the nickel/slot role.
You may have noticed that I didn’t mention Chidobe Awuzie, and there’s a reason for that. It’s been suggested for quite some time that he may be headed for a switch to safety, which he gained experience playing during his days at Colorado. Last season, Awuzie struggled to keep his head around and was beaten on routes more than the Cowboys would have liked. The hope is that a switch to safety will help Awuzie, who is very talented despite his struggles, keep the ball in front of him and make plays. If and when this switch happens, he’ll be a solid piece behind Xavier Woods at free safety or he could possibly challenge Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at strong safety.
The Cowboys have retooled at the cornerback position nicely after losing their top guy. The depth is there and no corner is over the age of 26. Now all that’s left to see is how it will all mesh together as a unit.
The concept of Awuzie moving to safety is widely discussed and certainly has some merit, but I think it’s too early to bank on it. It would be far more interesting to see how this depth chart is shaken up if he remains at corner … it sure muddies things up a bit! In fact moving Awuzie to safety muddies that picture up to … perhaps Awuzie is just muddy!
agreed. I still think he is the best CB on the roster. No reason to move him.
When it comes to the secondary I believe every spot needs to be open. No ones job should be guaranteed by draft status or contract. We need the best of the best out there if we are to make the jump and only competition breeds that.
Every spot is open, it’s just how I see it playing out. That’ll be determined on the field
With a brand new coaching staff, I think you are right. Open it up for a full competition.
Not banking on it just seems to be the route that’s most likely. We’ll see once the pads come on, whenever that is
Awuzie just doesn’t appear to have the requisite skills for the CB position. Incredibly frustrating to watch him time and again closely attached to the receiver, but have no idea where the ball is. As for moving him to safety easier said then done, completely different position, and who knows how long it would take him to acclimate himself.
Gary I share your frustration … big time! But I would actually argue that he has ALL the requisite skills to be an effective CB except the one you noted. He has the speed, has the ability to stick to his man, he has recovery ability, he’s an able tackler (if not, don’t you dare move him to safety!), he’s durable, and he appears to have the mindset of a quality CB. In fact, that’s why it’s frustrating! But I personally wouldn’t move him to safety yet, unless he just gets beat out by the others and (a) falls to 4th or lower on the CB depth chart or (b) all the other safeties suck. I’m of the bent to suggest we let him get developed by a new staff … if he then fails, so be it and we don’t re-up him after the season. He’s got all the necessary motivation to get it right now.
If he meets his potential at CB, he brings far more impact to the team than if he becomes just a reasonably good safety. I’m not opposed to him getting reps at safety by any means … and if he happens to REALLY show out there, then make it a consideration? I’m assuming the fact we haven’t heard from him at all, suggests he would prefer to stay at CB (much more money!)
If the Cowboys know for a fact Lewis or Awuzie isn’t going to pan out then I’d trade for draft compensation
Awuzie is in a contract year and needs to play well to keep his job.
Awuzie is not moving to safety!! First of all, he’s in the last year of his contract, so we’re not gonna move a player to a new position just to play for 1 year!! And 2, he’s the best outside corner we have on the roster right now, if you look at his stats you’ll see that he didn’t do as bad as he looked!! And 3rd, he’s definitely better than Worley…. Again, if you look at his stats, and then look at Worleys stats you’ll see that Awuzie is way better than Worley!! So in my opinion, I think that Worley mite play a little safety and Awuzie will stay at left corner!!
Agree with Cowboys Fan. Awuzie is not moving to safety. Worley will not beat him out for corner. Even if Awuzie did move to safety he would start over Woods in a heartbeat, hands down. It is all a toss up until they get some kind of camp and a couple of preseason games for evaluation. The measurable and stats suggest that Robinson may actually be better than Diggs; Exciting discussion.