The Cowboys secondary was their biggest weakness in 2025, allowing 243.1 passing yards per game (7th-most in the NFL per Pro Football Reference). The 2026 roster is banking on young players taking a leap.
The current depth chart:
CB1: The 2024 second-round pick enters year 3. His PFF coverage grade improved from 52.1 as a rookie to 64.7 in year 2. Progress, but still below average. He has the physical tools (6-1, 4.38 forty) but needs to improve his transition speed in man coverage.
CB2: The 2025 first-round pick showed flashes but also allowed 6 touchdowns in coverage per PFF, tied for most among starting corners. The talent is obvious but the consistency is not there yet.
Slot CB: The one bright spot. A veteran free agent signing who graded at 74.2 per PFF, 12th among slot corners. Reliable and smart.
Safety help: The 2026 second-round safety pick should help the corners significantly. A true centerfield safety allows corners to play more aggressively in press coverage without worrying about getting beaten deep.
The development timeline: History suggests cornerbacks typically break out in year 3. Sauce Gardner, Jaire Alexander, Marlon Humphrey — all had their best seasons in year 3. If the Cowboys young corners follow that trajectory, the secondary could go from weakness to strength by mid-2026.
The risk: If the young corners do not develop, this defense is in serious trouble. There is no cap space to add a veteran starter and the draft pick is a safety, not a corner.
Sources:
- Pro Football Reference — passing defense stats
- PFF — individual coverage grades
- NFL combine results — athletic profiles