Cowboys cornerback depth chart: Who are the team's top CBs and what should we expect from them in 2021?

The Dallas Cowboys are at it again. For the second time in four years, the team has remodeled their corner back position group. It wasn't all that long ago when the team relied on players like Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne to handle the outside corner duties, while Orlando Scandrick held down the slot. Both Carr and Claiborne cost the Cowboys dearly, one in terms of salary cap money and the other in terms of draft resources. While they weren't dreadful, neither lived up to their expectations. Scandrick had a very solid nine-year career with the Cowboys before father time eventually caught up to him.

In 2017, the front office hit the reset button and drafted three new cornerbacks - Chidobe Awuzie (second round), Jourdan Lewis (third-round), and Marquez White (sixth-round). Awuzie and Lewis became regular fixtures in the Cowboys cornerback group, while White was released during final roster cuts and never saw the field. The coaching staff finally figured out that Byron Jones should be playing corner as a switch in 2018 launched his career as he immediately earned All-Pro honors. Unfortunately, the Cowboys only benefited from his corner skills for just a couple seasons because he signed a five-year, $82.5 million with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, making him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL at the time.

This offseason, Chidobe Awuzie left in free agency to join the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning that both the team's previous outside corners are now gone.

The team took a nice step in mitigating their losses by drafting Alabama corner Trevon Diggs in the second round of last year's draft. That's a good start, but more help was needed, so the team mirrored their 2017 cornerback draft attack by again taking a CB in rounds two, three, and six. Coincidence? Sure, but make no mistake about it, this team is committed to shoring up that cornerback position group.

So, where do they currently sit at corner? Let's take a look at the team's available talent as we try to gauge how reliable this group can be in the upcoming 2021 season.

1. The Rising Star - Trevon Diggs

We have to love what we saw from Diggs his rookie season as he exemplified what it means to be a promising young corner during a rookie season. Yes, there were times where he got beat, but the kid shook it off like it never existed and went right back out there and made plays. He was challenged a lot last season as the Cowboys wasted no time throwing him into action. Diggs feel for the position and ability to use his size to pester receivers is his bread and butter. He doesn't have great make up speed, so he's burn-able, but he's a disciplined player who can recognize what's gonig on and put him in position to make plays. He led the team with three picks last year, which was something we don't see a lot of from Cowboys cornerbacks. In fact, the last cornerback to lead the team in interceptions was Terence Newman way back in 2008 when he had four picks that season.

Diggs is going toe-to-toe with some great battles in Cowboys camp, and while they get the better of him at times, his mental fortitude keeps him coming back for more. It doesn't hurt that he also trains with his brother Stefon Diggs who is one of the better receivers in the league. Expect more good things from the Cowboys second-year corner this season.

2. The Wild Card - Kelvin Joseph

I have the rookie Joseph labeled as a wild card because while he has exciting athletic skills, his inexperience will be a problem for him at times. And for that reason, we may not see Joseph get the nod as early as Diggs did last season as the team may choose to roll with veteran Anthony Brown on the outside until he is ready. Don't get me wrong, "Boss Man Fat" can ball. He's got nice size, moves incredibly well - both in shiftiness and long speed. He'll challenge for the ball, and there is no lack of confidence with this one. His aggressiveness will make fans excited at times, but it will also get him in trouble as well.

If Joseph can keep his head on right, he has all the traits to be a very good corner in this league. It would be wise to temper those expectations early though as his route recognization and lack of discipline at times will come with a cost. I look forward to seeing improvement towards the second half of the season as he looks for things to build on going into year two.

3. The Slot - Anthony Brown

And now the debate officially begins. If you have Jourdan Lewis slotted here, I'm fine with that. When it comes to playing the slot, both Brown and Lewis are effective players at the position. They're so close in my book, that it's like splitting hairs, so I'm not going to spend a lot of time arguing one way or another.

The reason I have Brown ahead of Lewis comes down to how each of them play the position. Brown is a much bigger scaredy-cat than Lewis, so judge according to your own preference. On the surface, Brown plays timid, but his discpline and field vision keeps him out of big trouble. He also is one of the team's fastest receivers, so when receivers do get behind him, he's got a fighting chance to catch them. The same is not true for Lewis.

Brown should get the call early as the other outside corner opposite Diggs because of his smart eyes and more cautious spacing. He'll be victimized and fans will storm social media with their torches, but he's still the best option. However, once Joseph gets settled in, it's anyone's guess as to which corner earns the starting slot spot.

4. The Fan Favourite - Jourdan Lewis

The overwhelming support for Lewis is understandable. He makes a lot of good plays. He's an ultracompetitive player who finds his way into the middle of the action. Lewis' lack of size and speed hinders what he's able to contribute, but you wouldn't know it by his relentless effort. He does bring some twitchiness to his game, which is why he's so effective in the slot, and despite his small frame, the guy is very good at wrapping up.

Lewis is more of a risk taker, and similar to Joseph, that's going to come with both good and bad. He got caught for a team-worst eight enforced penalties last season compared to just one from Brown.

5. The Outside Chance - Nahshon Wright

The Cowboys really loved Wright as his selection caught many of us off guard. His length and instincts make him an appealing option for Dan Quinn's defensive scheme. He's a fast closer and has very nice ball skills and when you combine that with is ability to process routes, there is definitely some reason to be excited about what he can contribute to this defense.

Wright is having a very nice camp and might have a shot to earn some reps on the outside should injuries or inconsistencies from Brown and Joseph surface.

Nahshon Wright, cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys@PFF / Twitter

Rounding out the rest...

There are a couple players who could sneak their way onto the roster.

6. Israel Mukuamu - While he's getting reps at safety in camp, he has similar traits that could keep him in in the mix for both Cover 2 and Cover 3 duties. Safety flex might punch his ticket onto this roster, but even if it doesn't, he should remain a prime practice squad candidate.

7. Reggie Robinson II - A wasted year at safety a year ago, the young corner has the length and ball skills to fit nicely into Quinn's scheme. If there is not enough room on the final roster, RR2 should find himself a spot on the team's practice squad.

Not likely to make the cut: Maurice Canady and Deante Burton.

Note: While C.J. Goodwin is a cornerback, his place on the roster should be secure due to his contributions on special teams.

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