Very similar to how the Dallas Cowboys are searching for a receiver opposite of CeeDee Lamb, the same thing can be said about needing a cornerback opposite of DaRon Bland on the outside.
Former All-Pro Trevon Diggs, who suffered a devastating knee injury for the second time in consecutive seasons, is on pace to recover ... maybe in time for 2025. But that option may be too close a call to rely on, leaving little in depth availability.
Cornerback is an underrated and rarely-mentioned need for the Cowboys this offseason. That may be because they have returners available to re-sign, but what other options are also out there?
Let's explore what the position has to offer in-house, in free agency and in the NFL Draft.
1- Jourdan Lewis - Dallas Cowboys
The most obvious selection is bringing back the 8-year Cowboys veteran who had a career-high 71 tackles in 2024. Lewis filled a huge void after the injury to Diggs, and his familiarity with new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (from his rookie season) adds to his reasoning for a new contract.
While he may get most of his reps in the slot, there is no reason not to bring back a leader in the defensive backs room.
The longest 1-on-1 of the day here inside The Star? Jourdan Lewis shop talk with Matt Eberflus.
Two #Cowboys guys who seem on the same page.
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) March 5, 2025
Oh, and look above for an interesting note on Lewis and Eberflus that you can only get from being inside The Star, via our Mike Fisher: A long J-Lew and 'Flus visit the other day after the Zack Martin retirement presser.
2- Israel Mukuamu - Dallas Cowboys
Another defensive back who isn't a predominate cornerback, Mukuamu saw the most playing time of his four-year career in 2024. A versatile, athletic, young body should be another obvious "keep" for the Cowboys - especially someone at a low price tag like "Izzy.''
Our Mike Fisher reports that Dallas has meet with the agent for Mukuamu, but no serious offers have been exchanged quite yet.
3 - Charvarius Ward - San Francisco 49ers
A reunion? It should certainly be enticing if there is mutual interest this free agency. Of course, Ward was traded away from Dallas after going un-drafted in 2018, but familiarity with Nick Sorensen could be a factor in this experiment. Sorensen was the 49ers' defensive coordinator last season before being hired on coach Brian Schottenheimer's staff this offseason as special teams coordinator in Dallas.
Ward's market value, north of $15 million per Spotrac, is likely way out of Dallas' free agency budget.
Related: Cowboys 4 Free Agency Target Keys Before NFL Draft
4 - Nate Hobbs - Las Vegas Raiders
A cheaper name in free agency may be 26-year-old Nate Hobbs, who has played all over the field through his four years in the league. The biggest risk here is his injury history. After missing six games in 2024, Hobbs was able to secure 33 tackles after surpassing 50 takedowns the previous three seasons.
5 - Jahdae Barron - Texas Longhorns
The 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner is a top cornerback prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. After a stellar Combine effort, Barron is listed as a near-guarantee first round pick. If he is still available at No. 12, Dallas may have a serious decision to make. Drafting Barron would be an immediate boost to the secondary.
6 - Maxwell Hairston - Kentucky Wildcats
Hairston, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash of everyone at the Combine, will likely be a later selection in this years cornerback class. Nonetheless, in the right system, he has the work ethic to improve his game in a hurry. A testament to that is his rapid rise from 3-star recruit to two-time All-SEC selection while in Lexington.
Related: Will Cowboys Draft Combine's 40-Yard Dash Champion?
As free agency and draft season nears, the Dallas Cowboys have an abundance of options to fill their cornerback void. What they will do? Nobody knows for sure.
One thing we know for certain: owner Jerry Jones has created a hefty spending budget to pair with prime draft positioning.
Everything is at the Cowboys' disposal to make a move for an underrated position group.
Related: Cowboys' Jerry Jones Finally Tells Truth About 'Blow It Up' Plan
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM.