Dallas Cowboys fans have been waiting a long time to see what they have in rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. A projected first-round pick by some analysts before tearing his ACL in his final year at East Carolina, the Cowboys landed him in the third round of last April’s NFL draft, and many believed Dallas would get a steal when he fully recovered from his injury.
The first 10 weeks have required some patience as Revel worked his way back. But the 24-year-old’s time is finally here as the Cowboys activated him off the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list on Tuesday, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov. With Damarvion Overshown activated off the PUP list and Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson expected to make their debuts after being acquired at last week’s trade deadline, Revel is one of the new faces that should make an impact for the Cowboys down the stretch.
But the bigger question is, whose snaps will he take to get on the field?
The Cowboys' defense has been ravaged by ineffectiveness this season, but the two players who could sweat Revel’s debut are Kaiir Elam and Trikweze Bridges. Both former Florida Gators have struggled on Matt Eberflus’s defense, but Elam may have the greater chance of losing snaps based on his first-half performance.
Cowboys’ Kaiir Elam Could Lose His Job to Shavon Revel Jr.
A former first-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL draft, the Cowboys were hoping they could turn Elam into a reclamation project after acquiring him in a trade last spring. While he’s posted a serviceable 59.6 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus this season, he’s also been a disaster in coverage, allowing 24 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns with a pass breakup on 39 targets.
While Elam has struggled in coverage, Bridges has been the worst cover corner on the team. In 20 targets this season, Bridges has allowed 13 catches for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and his lone interception barely puts a dent into his 110.6 passer rating when targeted. A smaller investment to bring Bridges aboard may have spelled doom for the 25-year-old rookie, but his special teams play could save his spot on the roster.
In 78 special teams snaps this season, Bridges has posted a 70.4 PFF grade and ranks ninth on the team. He’s also contributed to the kick coverage and field goal block units, while Elam has just seven special teams snaps and a 60.6 grade this season.
The added bonus of being able to special teams could give Bridges the edge. But Cowboys fans argue it may not matter as long as they get Revel on the field. In three seasons with the Pirates, Revel allowed 28 catches for 479 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions and 11 pass breakups on 64 targets per PFF. Two of those interceptions came last season before his injury, and his experience in a quarters-based scheme should fit into what Eberflus has been trying to do in Dallas this season.
Revel’s debut may not be enough to save Eberflus’s job if the Cowboys’ defense improves. But Elam could very well use his when the rookie hits the field for Monday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.