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The keyword for the cornerback position this offseason is “trust.” Do the Cowboys trust new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, given his background and reputation for developing secondary talent, to yield a capable group out of existing talent? Do they trust the current roster enough to not make big additions in free agency or the draft? The answers to those questions will drive activity this spring.
Under Contract
DaRon Bland – One of the league’s highest-paid CBs after last year’s contract, Bland needs to get healthy again and return to at least Pro Bowl form. His best position may be the slot, so it will be interesting to see if Parker tries to build up the outsides in other ways and maximize Bland’s instincts and big-play potential closer to the action.
Shavon Revel Jr. – Dallas thinks they got a steal with Revel in the third round of last year’s draft, and now we find out if that’s true. If Revel can handle one of the starting spots on the outside, the Cowboys can pursue someone to handle either the other side or the slot and then deploy Bland as needed. Revel and Caelen Carson can also greatly help Dallas fiscally if they can play major snaps on cheap rookie deals.
Caelen Carson – Because of missed games and other defensive issues, we haven’t really seen what got everyone so excited about Carson during the 2024 training camp. He wouldn’t be the guy to get overhyped during the summer, but that’s not to say he can’t still deliver something in his third season. At the very least, Dallas sure could use him as a capable CB4 for depth.
Trikweze Bridges – Claimed off waivers after not making the Chargers’ roster, Bridges played a lot of snaps for Dallas as a backup and special teamer. He even started two games, getting an interception in Dallas’ otherwise awful loss to the Broncos. While only entering his second season, Bridges turns 26 in September. But he has good size at 6’2” and could be competitive for the bottom of the roster.
Zion Childress – One of last year’s camp/preseason darlings, Childress got poached from the practice squad by the Texans but was only gone for about a month. After being waived by Houston, Dallas immediately got him back in the fold. He returns for a second offseason and will likely see a lot of work as a slot candidate this summer.
Free Agents
Josh Butler (ERFA) – Butler was flashing upside in 2024 before an ACL ended his year and knocked him out for 2025 as well. He’s old for a prospect, turning 30 in November, but will be cheap to bring back as an exclusive rights free agent. He’ll likely get a minimal contract to compete for a depth spot.
Reddy Steward (ERFA) – After starting his career in 2024 with Matt Eberflus’ Bears defense, Steward got claimed off waivers last August to reunite with Dallas’ former defensive coordinator. He ended up in a big role after injuries and other CB issues, playing as the primary slot corner and starting five games. Steward is an Eberflus guy who we wouldn’t mind seeing again, and he’ll be easy to keep if the Cowboys want him.
Corey Ballentine – Signed to the practice squad mid-season and called up for a few games at the end of the year, it’s hard to gauge Ballentine’s chances of returning. Turning 30 in April doesn’t help, but you never know if Parker saw something he liked on film.
What’s Needed?
Let’s say Dallas has the five guys already signed and brings back Butler and Steward. You obviously need more than just seven for camp and preseason, but the real question is if you could live with five or six of the players on that list as your CB depth chart in 2026. That’s where our introductory questions come into play: how much do you trust Christian Parker to cook with what’s already in the cupboard?
Bland is a starter, perhaps playing outside in base and moving to the slot in nickel. So it really comes down to how much faith they have in Revel and Carson’s development. It seems likely that they’ll talk themselves into Revel as a legit candidate, but it’s hard at this point to give Carson much benefit of the doubt. And while you could see guys like Bridges, Butler, and Steward filling out a depth chart, you don’t really want any of them in the top half of it.
That’s why you’ve seen so many mock drafts with Dallas taking one of Mansoor Delane, Avieon Terrell, or Jermod McCoy with one of their first-round picks. The need is there, though counting on rookie starters at CB isn’t the safest route. But one reason why Parker is here now is the immediate success that Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean had in Philadelphia, so that’s a good reason for hope.
A significant free agent at CB is never cheap, so the Cowboys will probably have to make a business decision between defensive end, linebacker, or corner for veteran help. There could be some decent options this spring like New Orleans’ Alontae Taylor, who was a terror against Dallas in a 2024 loss, or the Seahawks’ Riq Woolen, fresh off a Super Bowl win. Or we could go the comedy route and bring back Nahshon Wright after his breakout year in Chicago.
Again, the balancing act with so many other defensive needs makes this murky. Yes, Dallas could easily justify a major contract or a first-round pick at corner, but they could just as easily do that for an edge rusher, middle linebacker, or safety. And with a new DC to figure out, it’s harder to project what this team’s priorities will be and how much they’ll value veterans over rookies at certain positions.
At the very least, we don’t expect the Cowboys to just stand pat with current talent and their ERFAs. Even if Parker is the tide that raises all ships, that still leaves you very thin for camp and preseason injuries. We expect at least one solid addition via free agency or the draft, and maybe even both.