> Speaking at the NFL Owner Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, Schottenheimer discussed the Cowboys’ need at nickel.
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> That by itself was revealing. The [Cowboys recently signed Cobie Durant](https://atozsports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys-news/grading-the-signing-exactly-what-they-needed-by-adding-cobie-durant-free-agency/) in free agency, who has experience playing both inside and outside—something Schottenheimer noted. But if they still consider nickel a need, it means it probably isn’t the role they signed Durant for.
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> But more importantly, Schottenheimer made it very clear the Cowboys prefer to keep All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland outside.
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> “At the end of the day, we’d love to have a guy that would allow us to keep DaRon outside,” Schottenheimer told reporters via _Star-Telegram’s_ Nick Harris. “We feel like DaRon’ has got the ability to shut down a side of the field. We’d rather keep him outside than move him inside.”
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> Last year, the Cowboys signed Bland to a four-year contract extension worth $92 million. While it’s not a surprise the team views him as an outside cornerback, the team’s optimism on him combined with Schottenheimer’s comments about needing a nickel carries significant implications.
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> **Why Schottenheimer’s message matters a lot**
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> Let’s take Schotty’s word at face value for a second and assume the Cowboys think their starting nickel isn’t on the roster as of yet.
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> That would mean two things: Bland is starting outside _and_ in all likelihood, that Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. will compete for the other starting role.
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> The following question would naturally become, if the Cowboys pick a cornerback in the first round in late April, would they target the best one available even if they’re projected as outside corners? That would include LSU’s Mansoor Delane or Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. Or would they aim for a prospect they view as a potential nickel at the NFL level?