While Trevon Diggs’ return from injury is huge, other veterans’ potential exits could leave CB thin for the Cowboys.
One of the Dallas Cowboys’ top players missed all but two games in 2023. While getting Trevon Diggs back this season will be a huge boost to the defense, the cornerback position faces other challenges with key talent heading for free agency and unproven depth behind them.
Tearing an ACL during practice before Dallas’ Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, Diggs spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. The team performed admirably without him, posting 12 wins and winning the NFC East. But still the best CB on the roster, Diggs’ return will help the Cowboys in their quest to finally make a positive statement in the postseason.
A major reason that Dallas was able to compete without Diggs was DaRon Bland’s move outside, where he put up an astounding nine interceptions and returned five of them for touchdowns. It rightfully earned him recognition as a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, and makes him one of the team’s best bargains in just the third year of his rookie deal.
While the Diggs-Bland duo going forward is exciting to think about, the Cowboys can’t just stand pat at cornerback this offseason. The CB3 spot, which is really a starting role in modern football, has no clear answer based on existing contracted players for next season.
CBs Under Contract for 2024
Trevon Diggs – $16.25m cap hit
DaRon Bland – $1.06m cap hit
Nahshon Wright – $1.44m cap hit
Israel Mukuamu – $1.09m cap hit
Eric Scott Jr. – $970k cap hit
Josh Butler – $795k cap hit
If common sense didn’t already dictate it, it’s already been reported that Diggs’ contract will be restructured to bring down his cap number. While you don’t love giving a guy more guaranteed money after a major injury, Dallas doesn’t have much choice here and have to at least free up some cap space in 2024.
Elsewhere on the CB depth chart, Stephon Gilmore and Jourdan Lewis are both set to enter free agency. While Bland’s big plays were the highlights of the CB group last year, these two veterans were the glue that allowed Dallas’ pass defense to stay solvent. The Cowboys have tough calls to make on whether to re-sign or replace them this offseason.
