The Cowboys had a low key need at cornerback and Caelen Carson helps answer that.
There were a lot of identifiable needs on the Dallas Cowboys roster when the 2024 NFL Draft began. When we discussed these needs the same sort of things tended to hover at the top of discussion. Free agency withered the offensive line and the linebacker position was a big reason for the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. Even though it is devalued in a general sense, running back felt like a place that needed addressing. Needless to say there were a lot of holes for the team to fill.
One of the less-obvious needs on the team was a position that they actually addressed in free agency. Sort of. Dallas brought back Jourdan Lewis which gives them a starting trio of cornerbacks, but that is partly relying on Trevon Diggs returning to full health from a torn ACL. Hedging your bet is always a good idea.
It is unknown whether or not Stephon Gilmore will return to Dallas for a second season but it feels a little bit less likely after the team made their fifth-round selection. The Cowboys took Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson, who they reportedly considered taking with their first third-round pick when they selected Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe.
We are all clearly thrilled that Dallas selected Beebe, but that they gave consideration to Carson in the third speaks to the level of need they feel at cornerback.
It is worth mentioning that Dallas traded up in the draft last year to select Eric Scott Jr., and while nobody should jump to any serious conclusion after his rookie season, it does not exactly feel safe to bet on him in his second season.
Nahshon Wright is still hanging around, but he has been a disappointment relative to his draft stock (amazingly that was four years ago). The Cowboys needed a legitimate option at corner and Carson, who did carry a third- to fourth-round grade from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, helps fill that void.
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