(Editor's Note: With the NFL Draft fast approaching, DallasCowboys.com is taking a comprehensive look at each position on the roster: free agency additions, departures, and what the draft might hold. Today, we continue the series with cornerback.)
Need Meter (1 lowest, 5 highest): 4
Depth Check: Arguably the Cowboys' biggest free agent loss was Byron Jones, who signed an $82.5 million deal with the Dolphins in March. Sure, Robert Quinn (now a Chicago Bear) was the Cowboys' leading sack guy, but Jones was their most consistent player in the secondary. Now corner depth appears to be a need – not just this year but next. The Cowboys made an important move bringing back Anthony Brown on an expected three-year deal. But the rest of the expected core (Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, C.J. Goodwin and newcomer Maurice Canady) all are set to be free agents in 2021. Drafting a player with promise would add some stability at the position in case there's major turnover next spring. All that said, Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said Tuesday they don't feel pressure to reach at any position, including corner, this week.
Prospect Preview: With Jones gone, the Cowboys could look to address corner fairly early in the draft. At least that's what many observers believe. Most mocks have linked Dallas to some of this year's top prospects, and it's a deep enough class that an impact player could be available to them at either No. 17 or 51. Ohio State's Jeff Okudah is generally considered the top prospect and a possible top-five pick. After Okudah, a handful of talented corners (Florida's C.J. Henderson, LSU's Kristian Fulton, Utah's Jaylon Johnson, Alabama's Trevon Diggs, Clemson's A.J. Terrell and TCU's Jeff Gladney) all have gotten first- to second-round buzz. But it's a fairly strong class top to bottom, and the Cowboys are always adamant about staying to true to their board and drafting without desperation.
Memorable Pick: How about the first of two cornerbacks the Cowboys have drafted at No. 17? You've got to go back 56 years to Mel Renfro in the 1964 draft. Renfro, a star running back at Oregon, switched to defensive back full time in the NFL. The 10-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer played safety and corner during his 14-year career with the Cowboys. He ranks first in team history with 52 career interceptions.
Series Schedule
- Monday, April 13 – Quarterback
- Tuesday, April 14 – Running Back
- Wednesday, April 15 – Wide Receiver
- Thursday, April 16 – Tight End
- Friday, April 17 – Offensive Line
- Sunday, April 19 – Defensive End
- Monday, April 20 – Defensive Tackle
- Tuesday, April 21 – Linebacker
- Wednesday, April 22 – Cornerback
- Thursday, April 23 – Safety
