From the moment the Dallas Cowboys selected Caleb Downs No. 11 overall, the world knew the Ohio State safety would split time as the nickel cornerback. Downs thrived in this role in college, doing some his best work in the box as a do-it-all defensive back.
Downs is the early favorite to play slot cornerback on the nickel defense. As Dallas doesn’t have a true specialist at that inside position, they can easily move Downs into the spot on Day 1. But every team needs back-up options, and the Cowboys seem reluctant to use All-Pro outside cornerback DaRon Bland inside. Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant and Devin Moore all profile better on the boundary. It’s not until getting to Reddy Steward, five of six spots down the depth chart, does one find a capable slot cornerback on the roster.
Steward, 5-foot-11, and 183 pounds, took 384 snaps in the slot for Dallas last season. He showed resiliency and a wiliness to tackle in that role, but despite his best efforts, he yielded 352 yards receiving and graded out No. 99 in the NFL per PFF grades.
Additionally, Steward’s presence on the roster could spell the end for players like Caelen Carson, Trikweze Bridges, or Corey Balletine, if for no other reason Steward can play the slot. Gifting a roster spot to a subpar performer just because he plays a niche role others cannot, is not an ideal situation. But maybe the Cowboys can avoid rostering a true slot cornerback completely.
Jalen Thompson, the Cowboys’ top free agent signing last March, has much of the same skillset as Downs.
The veteran can play deep safety roles, box safety roles and even slot cornerback roles. If he proves to be better than Steward inside as a slot cornerback, then there isn’t much reason to save a roster spot for Steward. Rostering two capable slot defenders is just good business, but three might be overkill. It’s because of this the Cowboys may be able to survive 2026 without a single inside cornerback on the roster.
If Steward develops as a player and earns his way onto the roster through his play, then that’s one thing. But if the Cowboys want to keep him simply because they don’t have cornerback alternatives on the roster, they may want to consider skipping that position altogether.
Thompson and Downs, two safeties with slot cornerback ability, might be enough to effectively man the inside cornerback spot and save the Cowboys a valuable roster spot in the process.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys may not dedicate roster spot to position they complain about
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
