Who would have thought that after re-signing two All-Pro cornerbacks to contracts that total $187 million in value, the Dallas Cowboys would still be in the cornerback market? Yet, that’s exactly where the Cowboys find themselves heading into the offseason, with CB among the top needs to be addressed in either free agency or the draft. Heck, maybe both.
The Los Angles Chargers, like every opponent Dallas has faced this season, had no problems carving up the Cowboys secondary at will. The biggest challenge for Justin Herbert on Sunday wasn’t finding the open receiver but rather deciding between all the open receivers.
Even when the Cowboys’ CBs did have tight coverage, passes still found a way to fall into the open and welcoming hands of the receiving target downfield. Chalk it up to perfect throws or spectacular catches, but when CBs don’t turn and locate the ball, they’re probably not going to do much to stop the completion.
Trevon Diggs has likely played himself out of a job in Dallas this winter. His poor play on the field has only been matched by his poor relationship with the Cowboys front office. A likely cap casualty this March, Diggs’ exodus opens a starting spot in the Cowboys’ 2026 lineup.
The obvious internal replacement for Diggs is the rookie Shevon Revel. Revel, regarded by many as a draft day steal this past April, has a CB1 skillset that should translate wonderfully to the NFL game. The only problem is he’s playing terribly this year.
Revel’s struggles are as understandable as they are uninspiring. Revel missed most of his final college season with a knee injury. That injury leaked into his pro career with Revel not making his first NFL start until midway through November. Since then, it’s been nothing short of a trainwreck as the East Carolina product acclimates to pro game. Before Sunday’s action Revel graded out as 109 of 109 cornerbacks this season. It’s a status that’s not likely to change much after Revel was abused to the tune of 90 yards, five first downs and a touchdown.
Caelen Carson, another young CB hopeful on the roster, couldn’t even get on the field in Week 16. His shoulder injury threatens to sour the rest of his season and he’s a player who needs to put up good tape in a hurry. Carson flashed skills earlier in the 2025 season but it wasn’t consistent.
From DaRon Bland to Josh Butler, there are questions abound on the Cowboys CB depth chart. The Cowboys have around $200 million of contracts tied up at the position, but with no clear solutions in place CB becomes one of Dallas’ biggest needs heading into the offseason. Free agency is a possible source for depth, but real solutions will need the 2026 NFL draft. It joins linebacker, safety, defensive end and offensive tackle on the Cowboys needs list and could be a position they consider as early as their first pick in the first round.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Continued issues at $200 million position will be big offseason need
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
