Dallas Cowboys: Should the Cowboys draft another cornerback?
By Carl Daley
The Dallas Cowboys could look to add a couple of cornerbacks during the 2018 NFL draft. With Orlando Scandrick seemingly on the outs, what will Dallas do?
The Dallas Cowboys are still putting together their offseason plan, and one player may find himself sitting on the outside looking in. Cornerback, Orlando Scandrick has played for Dallas for the last ten years and in that time he has only managed to generate eight interceptions. Now the former fifth-round pick may struggle to make the final 53 in 2018.
Scandrick is 30 and has struggled to stay healthy in recent history. If that were not enough, he will also count for more than five million dollars against the salary cap. During a time in which the Dallas Cowboys front office needs every penny they can scrape together, the situation seems pretty dire for Scandrick.
He was supplanted on the depth chart by some of the younger corners on this roster. Realistically Dallas will likely keep Anthony Brown or Jourdan Lewis as their primary slot corner, and Chidobe Awuzie will start on the outside.
Scandrick is somewhat of the odd man out in this equation as he was playing in a reduced role anyway. He could also not be the only casualty of the offseason. Bene Benwikere is also slated to be a free agent so the Dallas Cowboys could use some extra depth at the position.The Cowboys may turn to free agency to help remedy this situation and that could make sense.
After all adding another veteran would only help stabilize what should be one of the youngest secondaries in the NFL. Adding a player like Trumaine Johnson, Brent Grimes, or Johnathan Joseph could be in the cards.
The team could also reunite with former players such as Morris Claiborne. Sterling Moore, or even Terrence Newman (who is currently in the playoffs with the Minnesota Vikings).
An alternative option to doing any of this would be to pursue two young cornerbacks in the NFL draft, that could be the more sound decision. With 3 fourth round picks it is not entirely possible that Dallas shoots for two cornerbacks early.
Probably not with their first pick but if Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joshua Jackson, or Denzel Ward are on the board while they are on the clock, the Cowboys could shock everyone and select a cornerback.
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They could focus a lot of their attention on second and third round players like Isaiah Oliver, Carlton Davis, Holton Hill, Kevin Toliver II, or even Tarvarus McFadden if he falls far enough.
Adding some more young corners to this roster seems necessary to ensure the success of this unit, however, the Cowboys are currently riddled with other needs as well.
How valuable the Cowboys view the cornerback position heading into this draft is unknown, and while it is obvious that more may need to be done Dallas could have their attention set on linebacker/offensive line positions.
Next: What can the Dallas Cowboys learn from playoff teams?
The Cowboys are almost done rebuilding this secondary, but they still have one or two more drafts to go before they can truly have a solid, dependable, defensive backfield.