The Cowboys offseason excitement is already in full swing with the revamped coaching staff, and we do not expect the excitement to slow down.
Dallas has some difficult decisions to make.
Three of their most talented players, Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, and Byron Jones, are free agents and looking for big money. The fact is, the Cowboys will probably pay two of them leaving one very good player out.
It looks like the odd man out will be cornerback Byron Jones. Jones has turned into one of my favorite players on the team and it makes me sad that he will likely suit up elsewhere next year, but it is probably best for both parties. Fellow cornerback, Anthony Brown, will also be a free agent.
With both of these guys possibly heading out the door, the Cowboys NEED to address this position in either free agency or (more likely) the draft.
Here are 6 guys who could realistically be selected by the Dallas Cowboys next April.
Photo: Kristian Fulton (LSU)
After missing his entire sophomore season, Fulton bounced back and quickly became one of the top cornerbacks in the country. He saw a very productive junior season lead to an even more productive senior season where Fulton recorded thirty-eight tackles, fourteen passes defended and an interception.
While the one interception will likely turn Cowboys fan’s off on Fulton, his ball skills and smart line of scrimmage play make him a top cornerback in the draft and a likely week one started wherever he ends up.
Photo: C.J. Henderson (Florida)
C.J. Henderson has been a top-tier cornerback since his freshman year in 2017 when he recorded four interceptions on four passes defended. Since then, he has only recorded two more interceptions but has remained one of the most consistent pass defenders in the SEC. This year, Henderson recorded thirty-three tackles and eleven passes defended. Henderson is a long athlete with an impressive speed which allows him to make plays on the ball. His speed also allows him to be a dangerous Blitzer.
Henderson is perhaps the best playmaking cornerback in his class which will have Cowboys fans excited if he is available at 17.
Trevon Diggs (Alabama)
Trevon Diggs was recruited to Alabama as a wide receiver, but after having an underwhelming freshman season, Diggs switched to cornerback. He started getting consistent snaps during his junior year but after suffering a season-ending foot injury he was sidelined for the playoffs. Trevon Diggs’ numbers only got better as a senior. Diggs recorded thirty-seven tackles and three interceptions on eight passes defended.
Diggs is a big cornerback, standing at 6’2 and weighing 207 lbs, and his physicality is his best trait. Diggs will likely be there when the Cowboys pick so, for Dallas, it will mostly depend on who is still on the board.
Photo: Jeff Gladney (TCU)
Jeff Gladney is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft class. During his junior year, Gladney recorded forty-one tackles and four tackles for loss thanks to Gary Patterson’s aggressive defensive scheme, but Gladney’s one on one playmaking ability is his most impressive skill. He was especially impressive in TCU’s upset victory over Texas where defended both Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay. Gladney gives up some size, but more than makes up for it with his other traits, like quickness and physicality.
While he is a first-round talent, very few mock drafts have Gladney going first round, so look for the Cowboys to pick him if he is available in round two or three.
Photo: Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Bryce Hall was limited to only six games in 2019, but his draft stock did not take a big hit because of his dominant junior season. Hall recorded sixty-two tackles (3.5 for loss) and two interceptions on twenty-one pass defended. Hall is a universal scheme fit due to his high football IQ and his exceptional run support. He is a more than willing tackler who will likely start right away wherever he ends up.
Hall will probably be a second-round pick and Dallas will certainly give him a look if he is available.
Photo: Jaylon Johnson (Utah)
The Cowboys lacked playmaking on the defensive side last season, and Jaylon Johnson could be the guy to fix that. Simply put, Jaylon Johnson makes plays. He caught four interceptions on four passes defended during his sophomore year and returned one of those for a touchdown.
Last season, as a junior, he picked off two more passes on eleven passes defended and returned one of those for a touchdown as well.
Jaylon Johnson has been a top cornerback in CFB and is no doubt a first-round talent, but due to the depth of this year’s cornerback class, the Cowboys could be able to steal him in a later round.
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