Cowboys could add cornerback in second round of NFL Draft

Cornerback might not be an immediate need for the Dallas Cowboys, but according to a report by Jordan Reid of ESPN, the position may be in play in the early rounds with the team's eyes set on the future.

Reid reported that the Cowboys may have a focus on cornerback on Day 2, specifically mentioning the name Darius Rush, a cornerback out of South Carolina. According to Reid, Rush "has been mentioned frequently in connection with Dallas."

Rush has a unique background at the position. Initially being recruited as a three-star wide receiver out of C.E. Murray High School in South Carolina, he did not make the move to corner until the fall camp of his redshirt freshman season. In his final two years as a Gamecock, he started 21 games.

This background is evidenced in his play style; while he's not the most technically sound defender, he shows elite ball skills, great size for the position and top-tier athleticism. The 6-foot-2 Rush uses his frame to disrupt passes, recording 18 passes defended and three interceptions in his last two seasons in college. Rush also ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, showing his combination of size and athleticism.

Rush already informally met with Dallas at the combine, where he said that he models his game after current Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, as well as his former Gamecock teammate Jaycee Horn. Diggs, like Rush, is a cornerback convert with great ball skills who began his career at Alabama playing wide receiver.

The Cowboys traded for veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore over the offseason, but Reid said the team understands Gilmore may just be a one-year solution. Dallas could let Rush develop behind Gilmore and Diggs for a season or two before making him more of a focal point of the defense.

Another potential match for America's Team could be Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who met with the team for a top-30 visit on Thursday. Stevenson could be another Day 2 target who could line up outside opposite of Diggs.

A Georgia transfer, Stevenson dominated when he got to Miami, defending 10 passes and catching three interceptions in his two seasons with The U. While he does not have the same size and athleticism as Rush, he is no slouch himself, running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and jumping 38.5 inches in the vertical leap drill.

Compared to Rush, Stevenson is a more sound corner from a technique perspective, though, and it translated to on-field production. The six-foot Miami native only allowed a completion percentage of 42.5% when targeted his final year of college.

If the Cowboys target Stevenson in the NFL Draft, they may have to fork up a second round pick for him. He is currently listed as the 67th-ranked prospect in the draft according to ESPN's big board. As for Rush, he is ranked 169th, though some other publications have him ranked more favorably, including Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report which have him listed at 101 and 130, respectively.

If the Cowboys are indeed looking at cornerbacks on Day 2, they could use either pick No. 58 or 90 to target Stevenson, Rush or another player for the long-term outlook of their defensive back room.