Rewriting The Blueprint: Cowboys' Cornerback Depth After Free Agency & NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys are known for their storied history of drafting talented players and developing them into key contributors on their roster. As one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, the Cowboys have consistently sought to surround themselves with the best talent available. One position that has been of particular interest to the team is cornerback, as they look to bolster their depth and create a more balanced secondary.

After a tumultuous offseason, marked by significant free agency moves and a depth-filled NFL Draft, the Cowboys' cornerback situation has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the days of struggling to find quality depth at the position, as new additions have shaken up the landscape and given coach Mike McCarthy's squad a fresh new look. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Cowboys' cornerback depth, examining the moves the team made in free agency and the draft, and exploring what the future holds for this revamped unit.

Assessing the Free Agency Moves

The Cowboys made several significant moves in free agency, bringing in a new crop of cornerbacks to bolster their depth. The team signed two-year deal with Michael Dickson, a 5'11" shutdown corner from the 49ers, who brings a much-needed dimension to the Cowboys' secondary. Dickson is known for his exceptional ball skills, and his addition should give the Cowboys a reliable safety valve in the slot.

Another key addition was the signing of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a 6'0" shutdown corner from the Panthers. Gardner-Johnson brings a reputation for being a ball-hawking corner, and his ability to cover both slot and outside positions should make him a valuable asset to the Cowboys' defense.

The Cowboys also signed 3-year deal with Kayvon Thibodeaux, a 6'4" boundary corner from the Giants. Thibodeaux brings a much-needed presence on the outside, and his athleticism and length should make him a nightmare to match up against.

In addition to these signings, the Cowboys also re-signed their own cornerback, Kelvin Joseph, to a 3-year deal. Joseph has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career, and his addition should provide a much-needed boost to the team's cornerback depth.

Cornerback Depth Chart

Now that the Cowboys have made their moves in free agency, it's time to take a look at the team's new cornerback depth chart. Here's a breakdown of the current depth chart:

• Michael Dickson: Slot corner
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Outside corner
• Kayvon Thibodeaux: Boundary corner
• Kelvin Joseph: Nickel corner

This depth chart is impressive, with four different cornerbacks bringing unique skills to the table. Dickson and Gardner-Johnson should form a strong slot tandem, while Thibodeaux and Joseph should provide a much-needed presence on the outside.

Examining the NFL Draft

The Cowboys didn't just stop at free agency, as they also made several key picks in the NFL Draft to bolster their cornerback depth. The team selected 2nd round corner Rashad Fenton out of South Carolina, a ball-hawking corner with a reputation for making big plays.

Fenton brings a much-needed element of speed and agility to the Cowboys' secondary, and his addition should make him a valuable asset to the team's special teams unit.

The Cowboys also selected 6th round corner Donavan Sharpe out of Pittsburgh, a physical corner with a reputation for being a tough blocker.

Sharpe brings a much-needed element of size and physicality to the Cowboys' secondary, and his addition should make him a valuable asset to the team's run defense.

Rookie Cornerbacks

Now that the Cowboys have made their moves in free agency and the draft, it's time to take a closer look at the team's rookie cornerbacks. Here's a breakdown of the two rookies:

• Rashad Fenton: Slot corner
• Donovan Sharpe: Boundary corner

Fenton and Sharpe bring a much-needed element of youth and energy to the Cowboys' secondary, and their addition should give the team a fresh new look in the seasons to come.

Evaluating the Cowboys' Cornerback Depth

So, how does the Cowboys' cornerback depth stack up? Here are a few things to consider:

• Size and Speed: The Cowboys have a great mix of size and speed at cornerback, with Michael Dickson and C.J. Gardner-Johnson providing a strong presence on the field.
• Ball Skills: Both Dickson and Gardner-Johnson have a reputation for making big plays, and their addition should give the Cowboys a reliable safety valve in the slot.
• Depth: The Cowboys have a deep bench at cornerback, with Rashad Fenton and Donovan Sharpe providing a much-needed element of youth and energy.

However, there are also some concerns:

• Injury Risk: The Cowboys have a history of struggling with injuries at cornerback, and the team will need to be careful to keep their new additions healthy.
• Development: While Fenton and Sharpe show promise, they will need time to develop and become reliable starters.

Conclusion

The Cowboys' cornerback depth has undergone a significant transformation this offseason, thanks to a combination of free agency moves and the NFL Draft. With a mix of size and speed, ball skills and depth, the team's secondary is looking stronger than ever. However, there are also some concerns, and the team will need to be careful to keep their new additions healthy and develop their young rookies. One thing is for sure, the Cowboys' cornerback depth is a major strength of the team, and fans are excited to see what the future holds for this revamped unit.