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FRISCO, TX — Over the past several days, I've taken you on a ride through each of the positions on the Dallas Cowboys' depth chart to assess not only the current state of affairs, but to also dive into where each unit has come from and where they're likely headed as we look toward the 2025 season and beyond.
Last, but certainly not least, is the secondary.
From Trevon Diggs to DaRon Bland, from Malik Hooker to Donovan Wilson, from Juanyeh Thomas to Markquese Bell — so forth and so on — there's no shortage of items to discuss here, including the looming free agency of some depth pieces.
So, let's get to it, and conclude this year's 'What's Next?' series on a strong note.
Past: Unlike their history at certain other positions — defensive line and running back, as two examples — this is one the Cowboys haven't had a lot of consistent success with their defensive back unit.
They have definitely had their share of dominant and/or elite defensive backs though, and that much isn't up for debate. From Mel Renfro to Everson Walls to Deion Sanders, there have been generational talents that have graced the Cowboys uniform; and they've had other talents worthy of being mentioned, such as Barry Church, but the greatness the team has been chasing at the CB and safety position has proven more elusive than they'd like.
Echoes of Morris Clairborne (the gordita at CB that preceded the Taco at DL) still resonate in my mind, though I try to wash that rancid flavor from my tongue with the good times that were had for the majority of Terence Newman's stretch in Dallas.
At safety, you saw J.J. Wilcox never fully developed, and that forced too much onto the plate of Jeff Heath (undrafted), Kavon Frazier and resident starting free safety Xavier Woods.
Furthermore, and more importantly, the Cowboys found themselves needing (at least in their eyes) to move Byron Jones from cornerback to safety, then back to cornerback, then to safety, so forth and so on. The flex arguably siphoned an opportunity to see him form into a shutdown corner sooner, and long before he departed in free agency.
In the midst of all of this, at one point or another, Brandon Carr played solid football but without production that matched his contract at the time, Orlando Scandrick eventually gave way to Chidobe Awuzie and Anthony Brown, and a carousel of depth players who aren't going to immediately come to mind for you came and went — something that proves my point.
The new age of defensive backs, however, is absolute cinema; at least mostly.
Present: Alright, now let's talk about the current state of affairs at defensive back, because there is much to discuss and digest as far as the outlook goes, in an offseason where, once again, Jourdan Lewis will enter free agency if the two sides don't agree to a deal prior to the start of the new league year.
Lewis' latest contract, a one-year deal, wound up being attached to the best season he's produced as a pro, arguably snubbed in both Pro Bowl and All-Pro voting. It's paramount the Cowboys treat Lewis as a high-priority re-signing for the coming season, in the tone of a multi-year negotiation, but more on that in a moment.
DaRon Bland returned from weeks away with a foot injury, only for the Cowboys to lose Trevon Diggs for the season, and possibly the start of next season, to a knee injury. Caelen Carson had a strong start as a rookie but a shoulder injury derailed his first season and he'll need more reps before it's determined if he's ready to be an NFL starter.
One who helped to stabilize the depth chart was Israel Mukuamu and Josh Butler but, and stop me if you've heard this before, a season-ending torn ACL took one of these two off of the board (Butler, and after a breakout game in Washington, no less).
There were several others who tried to contribute rotationally, e.g., Amani Oruwariye, Andrew Booth (acquired via trade in training camp), Kemon Hall and Troy Pride, but nothing really stuck.
As far as safeties go, Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell provided stellar young and promising talent behind Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker, and only injury (yeah, another one) was able to shake that depth chart — Bell being lost to a season-ending shoulder injury in 2024.
Future: Bell is a restricted free agent this offseason and Thomas is an exclusive rights free agent, so the Cowboys have the inside track to retaining both for next season; and both Hooker and Wilson are operating on contract extensions, which is to say the Cowboys could possibly be all set at safety.
That, however, may not be true of what may occur at cornerback, contingent upon what Lewis opts to do in free agency. Having proven himself arguably the best nickel corner in the NFL and easily one of the most vocal and well-respected leaders in the locker room, Lewis' value is markedly higher than it was one year ago and probably than it's ever been on the open market.
He'll be joined in free agency by Mukuamu, a very capable backup who can start when necessary, while Oruwariye and Booth mull their futures as well. Carson, a fifth-round pick in 2024, is guaranteed to have a roster spot as either a backup to Diggs, Bland and Lewis or, if Lewis departs, will be looked upon to replace the impact veteran.
The rotation then becomes a test for Hall, Pride and Butler whenever Butler is healthy enough to return from injury, and the addition of Luq Barcoo on a futures deal signed in January.
For Bland, who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, the Cowboys recently awarded Diggs a multi-year deal that may or may not impact how much of their salary cap they're willing to commit to the position.
But, for 2025, the two All-Pro cornerbacks will be on the field together, presumably.
Again: presumably.
