6 Cowboys on Thin ice Following the NFL Draft

1. Jourdan Lewis, CB

First, it needs to be said that it's highly unlikely Jourdan Lewis finds himself off the 53-man roster. The Cowboys re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason, signaling the end of Stephon Gilmore's tenure with the team.

Lewis missed 11 games in 2022 and took a while to get rolling in the 2023 campaign. Once Trevon Diggs was injured, he was moved back into a primary role as the slot corner while DaRon Bland mmoved back outside to play opposite Gilmore.

Bland went on to have a record-breaking year and Gilmore was a savvy vet. That means Lewis was overlooked despite having a very impressive campaign. He had 52 tackles, five pass defenses, and one pick — but that doesn't tell the story of how well he played. Lewis stepped up often, especially on key third-downs late in the year.

That's why he's going to be on this team in 2024 but he might be forced to the sideline once again by a younger defensive back, Caelen Carson.

Dallas considered the Wake Forest product in Round 3 which makes it surprising he was still there late in Round 5. Listed at 6-foot-0 and 199 pounds, Carson played primarily on the boundary but moved into the slot often. He might have a home there, especially due to his ability to help in run support. That could be bad news for Lewis — as well as for another former third-round pick, Nahshon Wright.

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