While the first couple of waves of free agency have passed, it's never too late to upgrade the roster, something the Cowboys will try to do at the end of this month with the NFL Draft.
Even with that, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we continue the series with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.
Views of #24 Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie from the 2017-18 Regular Season.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 19-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
10 September 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
16 September 2017: Chidobe Awuzie of the Dallas Cowboys departing DFW Airport for their regular season week 2 game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs GB
08 October 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
08 October 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) in action during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) in action during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
DAL Vs KC
Dallas Cowboys cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie (33) and Jourdan Lewis (27) and linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) stop Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during an NFL game at the AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2017. The Cowboys defeated the Chiefs 28-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
DAL Vs ATL Departure
DAL Vs ATL Departure
19 November 2017:
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs PHI
DAL vs PHI
DAL vs LAC
30 November 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) in action against Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Doctson (18) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 38-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 38-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) tackles New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman Jr. (22) during a 2017 NFL week 14 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 30-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
17 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) and Jourdan Lewis of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33) and Jeff Heath (38) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (31) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson (82) attempts to break away from a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys' Chidobe Awuzie (33) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
30 December 2017: x, Jourdan Lewis, Chidobe Awuzie of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys' Chidobe Awuzie (33) intercepts a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
31 December 2017: Chidobe Awuzie (33)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
What's Been Good:
In the 10 games Awuzie played, he showed the ball skills and competitive streak that made him a second-round pick in last April's draft. The former Colorado star worked his way into the starting lineup for the final five games and recorded 27 tackles, 7 pass breakups and an interception. With Awuzie, 2017 third-round pick Jourdan Lewis and sixth-round pick Xavier Woods manning the top three cornerback spots, the Cowboys went 4-1 to end the season. Awuzie also showed some versatility earlier in the year, lining up at safety in packages against the Packers.
What's Been Bad:
Injuries got in Awuzie's way for much of the year. He missed six games and most of a seventh (Week 2 at Denver) with a bothersome hamstring injury that originally sidelined him for a good portion of training camp. The Cowboys certainly would have worked him into the secondary rotation quickly, but he was only able to get on the field for 52 total defensive snaps in the first 9 games. The starting reps he got down the stretch were valuable experience for Year 2, however.
2017 Highlight:
Back from his hamstring injury, Awuzie made his first career start at left cornerback in Week 13 against the Washington Redskins and broke up three passes in 53 snaps, nearly equaling his workload in the first 11 games combined. The Cowboys won 38-14 and snapped a three-game losing streak.
What's Next:
With Orlando Scandrick now a member of the Redskins, there's a clear path for Awuzie to earn a starting cornerback spot next season. That was probably the team's expectation in 2017, but his injuries kept Nolan Carroll in a starting role before the Cowboys released the veteran in the middle of the season. It'll be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and new passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Kris Richard utilize their young DBs, but one thing is certain: Awuzie is a big part of their plans going forward.
- Battled injury early to have an outstanding rookie season. Worked hard with the athletic training staff to put himself in position to start the final five contests at cornerback.
- Was a combination of speed and power. There was no fear in the way he went about his job. Competitive. Doesn't give an inch.
- Outstanding football intelligence. Rarely see him out of position. Mental and physical toughness.
- Plays with body control and balance. Nice in press coverage to stick with his man on the line but just as good in off coverage. Will drive and rally to the ball.
- I had some questions about his ability to play as a corner. Thought he might have been a better safety, but he looks totally comfortable as a corner for this club going forward.
