Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster predictions: Training camp rolling

Cornerbacks (5)

Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, Kelvin Joseph, Maurice Canady, Nahshon Wright, Reggie Robinson

When asked on Friday, HC Mike McCarthy said the usual number for defensive backs as a whole is ten, but with the amount of talent on the team, that number could be closer to twelve or thirteen. I believe expanding that number past ten is McCarthy simply teasing how little we know of this team because every team believes in quantity over quality.

Speaking of quality, the team is likely better at creating pressure than covering on the back end so maybe investing in more pass rushers can overcome a lighter defensive back room.

Of the ten defensive backs I have chosen, six of them are cornerbacks. One is long-time veteran Anthony Brown, two are second-year players Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson. (Will McClay’s pet cat) Two are rookies in Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright and the last name is one that carries more weight only as of late: Maurice Canady.

The case for Brown, Diggs, Joseph, and Wright is pretty clear. They proven to be solid players in this league or they are new members of the team valued highly in the drafting process. Canady is a pretty clear outlier from this list.

The Cowboys signed Canady over the 2020 offseason, but he chose to opt out due to the pandemic. Perhaps that was the right move as he has come back a year later, in a scheme tailored to his frame and athletic ability, and is proving to be a difference-maker on the field.

Canady has had more buzz the last few practices than either rookie and looks much better than returning slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis. If the trend continues, the team will simply have no choice but pull the trigger on Canady while leaving the recently re-signed Lewis out to dry.