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Cornerback starting to come into Cowboys' focus
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
IRVING, Texas -- While running back has garnered most of the attention in terms of the Dallas Cowboys’ draft needs and defensive end has sparked some talk as well, the need that is starting to really come into focus is at cornerback.
The current starters are Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr, whose future is uncertain because of a $12.717 million cap figure and $8 million base salary. The Cowboys would like Carr to accept a pay cut, but his agent said at the owners meetings that would not be in the cards.
Brandon Carr carries a big cap hit, but the Cowboys can't afford to be without him. AP Photo/James D Smith
That tune could change as the offseason goes along and jobs and cash are not as plentiful, but the Cowboys need Carr on the roster -- right now.
The third corner could be newcomer Corey White, who was claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints. He struggled at times last year, but the Cowboys hope the more straightforward approach of Rod Marinelli’s scheme will allow him to just play.
What about Morris Claiborne? He is coming back from major knee surgery and is not expected to be ready for training camp. The former No. 1 pick faces a long road and has yet to play at a level the Cowboys expected when they took him in 2012.
With the 27th pick in the first round, cornerback could be the Cowboys’ best bet, provided there are answers at running back in the second and third rounds that would make the Cowboys feel comfortable passing on a runner in the first.
Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson visited with the Cowboys this week. Connecticut’s Byron Jones is on their visitor’s list as well. Other options are Washington’s Marcus Peters, LSU’s Jalen Collins and Florida State’s P.J. Williams. While Quentin Rollins and Ronald Darby have been linked to the Cowboys, they are not on the list of pre-draft visitors.
Peters was kicked off the team last year by the Washington coaches. Williams had a recent DUI arrest.
The Cowboys have covered themselves in free agency to varying degrees at defensive line (Greg Hardy, Nick Hayden), linebacker (Rolando McClain, Jasper Brinkley, Andrew Gachkar, Keith Rivers) and running back (Darren McFadden).
The only addition in the secondary has been a waiver-wire pickup in White.
It doesn’t take a lot of squinting to see cornerback coming into focus among the team’s draft needs.
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
IRVING, Texas -- While running back has garnered most of the attention in terms of the Dallas Cowboys’ draft needs and defensive end has sparked some talk as well, the need that is starting to really come into focus is at cornerback.
The current starters are Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr, whose future is uncertain because of a $12.717 million cap figure and $8 million base salary. The Cowboys would like Carr to accept a pay cut, but his agent said at the owners meetings that would not be in the cards.
Brandon Carr carries a big cap hit, but the Cowboys can't afford to be without him. AP Photo/James D Smith
That tune could change as the offseason goes along and jobs and cash are not as plentiful, but the Cowboys need Carr on the roster -- right now.
The third corner could be newcomer Corey White, who was claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints. He struggled at times last year, but the Cowboys hope the more straightforward approach of Rod Marinelli’s scheme will allow him to just play.
What about Morris Claiborne? He is coming back from major knee surgery and is not expected to be ready for training camp. The former No. 1 pick faces a long road and has yet to play at a level the Cowboys expected when they took him in 2012.
With the 27th pick in the first round, cornerback could be the Cowboys’ best bet, provided there are answers at running back in the second and third rounds that would make the Cowboys feel comfortable passing on a runner in the first.
Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson visited with the Cowboys this week. Connecticut’s Byron Jones is on their visitor’s list as well. Other options are Washington’s Marcus Peters, LSU’s Jalen Collins and Florida State’s P.J. Williams. While Quentin Rollins and Ronald Darby have been linked to the Cowboys, they are not on the list of pre-draft visitors.
Peters was kicked off the team last year by the Washington coaches. Williams had a recent DUI arrest.
The Cowboys have covered themselves in free agency to varying degrees at defensive line (Greg Hardy, Nick Hayden), linebacker (Rolando McClain, Jasper Brinkley, Andrew Gachkar, Keith Rivers) and running back (Darren McFadden).
The only addition in the secondary has been a waiver-wire pickup in White.
It doesn’t take a lot of squinting to see cornerback coming into focus among the team’s draft needs.
