The NFL draft will take place later this month. In this series, dallas cowboys He's at every position as the team prepares to make a selection in Detroit. The 9th is a defensive back.
The Cowboys had one of the most effective secondaries in the league last season.
It's even more impressive considering who they lost.
Pro Bowl corner Trevon Diggs suffered a knee injury during practice before a game against Arizona in Week 3 and was lost for the season. This is a blow that will have serious implications for most groups in the NFL.
Cowboys? Second-year corner Daron Brand entered the starting lineup and did what Diggs did two years ago, leading the league in interceptions. Veteran Stephon Gilmore has been a rock on the other side, and slot corner Jordan Lewis has played well in the second half of the season after returning from a serious injury.
As a result, Dallas held opponents to an average of 192.1 passing yards, ranking fifth in the NFL. The secondary also ranked in the top 10 with 17 interceptions.
players on the roster
Trevon Diggs: Gilmore will likely be moved elsewhere as one of the league's best young corner players will be returning to the team.
Darron Brand: He set an NFL single-season record with five interceptions returned for one touchdown. What will he do for an encore?
Jordan Lewis: A remarkable comeback after breaking his foot a season ago. He forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles, both career highs.
Malik Hooker: A physical, underappreciated presence on the backend. Correct many mistakes.
Donovan Wilson: A hard hitter who makes plays. He finished third on the team with 97 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Marquez Bell: After rookie Demarvion Overshawn was injured, he was thrust into the hybrid linebacker position and was outstanding. He was second on the team with 103 tackles.
Israel Mukuam: The main role is on special teams. In his fourth season, he will need to carve out a role for himself in the rotation.
Eric Scott: The rookie sixth-round pick got off to a strong start in camp, but slumped after that. He was inactive in every match.
Juannie Thomas: He carved out a valuable special teams role for himself. In the team's regular season opener, he blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown.
Nation Wright: A third-round pick, he has made little impact in his first three seasons. He finished last season with only two tackles and one pass defended.
Strengths
Dallas has one of the best young tandems in the league in Diggs and Brand.
Diggs is less than two years removed from recording 11 interceptions, matching a level that hasn't been achieved in the league in 40 years. He had scored 17 points in the first 45 games of his career before suffering an injury.
Brand had nine interceptions in place of Diggs last season. In addition to those five touchdowns, he finished tied for fifth on the team in scoring with tight end Jake Ferguson's 30 points, and had an interception for 209 return yards.
It won't be easy to replace what Gilmore provided. But the Cowboys are in good shape thanks to Diggs, Brand, and Lewis.
And what about safety? This group will continue to have players who can play. He is deep and talented.
Weakness
There is no proven depth behind the top three at corner. If one person gets injured there, the group will be in trouble. One young player needs to emerge this offseason. Otherwise, the Cowboys will need to acquire a corner in the draft.
Brand's stats were flashy, but he conceded too many plays. It's impossible for him to return five interceptions for touchdowns this season either, so the way to offset that is to give up fewer plays.
3 draft targets
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri: Health is an issue. However, he is a player with a well-balanced physicality and is good at responding to press.
Karen King, Pennsylvania: Show your tenacious efforts. Second team All-Big Ten last season.
Chris Abrams-Drain, Missouri: He reacts well when the ball is in the air and has the speed to put himself in position to make plays. First team All-SEC.
conclusion
There are more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball than at this position. Dallas is certainly in a safe place. They have above-average talent at corner, but adding another player in this draft will be strongly considered.
Catch David Moore's Cowboys Happy Hour on Wednesday nights in April at 7pm on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM).
Cowboys Draft Needs Series
— quarterback
— running back
— tight end
— Offensive line
— wide receiver
— defensive end
— defensive tackle
— Details coming soon…
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