Cowboys corner situation could be repeat of 2020 offseason
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2021 NFL Offseason with a ton of what ifs. One of the biggest question marks include the handling of the cornerback position. Both Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are set to hit the free-agency market as the team’s top two starters are Anthony Brown and Trevon Diggs.
In 2020, Dallas faced a similar situation when their starting Pro Bowler Bryon Jones hit the market. Jones had one of his best performances in 2018, but failed to match his stats the following year. He would then go on to sign a record deal with the Miami Dolphins, making him the highest-paid corner. The problem for Dallas was they never signed anyone to replace him. They brought back Brown on a three-year deal, paving the way for the selection of Diggs.
The team is looking to go down the same route if changes are not made. Pro Football Focus took a deeper look in the cornerback position.
The Cowboys basically declined to replace No. 1 CB Byron Jones. Meow they’ll also have to deal with the thought of losing Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis. Entering 2021 with Anthony Brown (PFF’s 92nd-highest graded CB) and Trevon Diggs (No. 60) as the top two corners is a scary proposition.
While Awuzie and Lewis were not Pro Bowlers like Jones, their lack of presence on the field will still be detrimental if they are not resigned. Awuzie’s best work came when he was placed into zone coverage. This is something that may come in handy with the hiring of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Last season Dallas play under Mike Nolan, which proved to be less than ideal. With Quinn calling the shots, the team will implement a lot more Cover 3 and other zone coverage, which could be benefit Awuzie if he’s brought back.
Another player who failed to produce under Nolan was Lewis. The 25 year-old corner did not show the progress he promised from year’s past. His rating dropped significantly as PFF graded him a career low 48.1. Some issues included the inability to cover receivers out the slot. His best work came from the outside, as he was ranked 38th out of 103 qualifiers.
It’s unlikely Dallas will sign both players, but signing one would present a similar outlook to how 2020 played out and likely lead Dallas towards considering a corner in the upcoming draft.
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