FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys intend to keep at least one of their free agent cornerbacks in the fold.
Byron Jones is reportedly off to Miami, but the Cowboys are in the process of finishing an extension for four-year veteran Anthony Brown.
Once completed, the deal is expected to keep Brown in Dallas for three years.
That comes on the heels of reports on a one-year deal with veteran Maurice Canady, who is expected to join the Cowboys after stints with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets.
Brown has become a bit of a forgotten man in the Cowboys' secondary – likely because his 2019 season ended early after he tore his triceps in the Nov. 17 win against Detroit. He had season-ending surgery soon after and went to injured reserve after recording just 17 tackles and one pass breakup.
That doesn't quite do justice to what a solid find Brown has been, though. Originally drafted in the sixth-round, No. 189 overall, Brown made an immediate impression when he intercepted Tony Romo on the very first rep of his rookie training camp.
His strong training camp led to him starting 10 games during the Cowboys' run to a 13-3 record, tallying 55 tackles as their third cornerback.
Brown has been a steady presence in the secondary ever since. In fact, 2019 is the only time in his career he has missed any meaningful snaps, as he has appeared in 59 of 67 possible games, playing both inside and outside while making 172 career tackles with 32 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Once finalized, these deals should help give the Cowboys some flexibility at cornerback. Along with Canady, who has appeared in 32 NFL games, this would give them four corners under contract – along with incumbents Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis.
It's still possible the Cowboys could do some more work at the position, whether in free agency or the draft. For the time being, it at least helps them cover a position that looked awfully thin heading into free agency.
