Blogging The Boys
The Cowboys are very surely going to walk away with some cornerback help this draft.
We continue to dive in our top positional series for the Dallas Cowboys, this time looking at the top cornerbacks in the draft. We’ll describe their best and worst attributes.
Best - Ball Skills
Hunters ability to track, high-point, and secure the football is unparalleled, making him a natural playmaker on both the defense and offense. Hunter’s instincts and vision allow him to excel in both man and zone coverage, often baiting quarterbacks into throws before using his elite burst to break on passes and create turnovers. His prowess in contested situations, combined with his agility and body control, enables him to dominate 50/50 balls, effectively turning him into a the best two-way player we’ve seen in the draft in a long time.
Worst - Durability
Hunter’s extensive playing time on both offense and defense in college raises questions about his durability at the professional level. Managing his workload will be crucial to ensure he remains effective and avoids injury over the course of an NFL season. During his time in college, Hunter missed time and suffered some bad injuries in all three seasons playing at both Jackson State and Colorado.
Best - Off Man/Zone coverage
Johnson has exceptional mirror-and-match skills for a corner his size (6’2”, 194 lbs), showing fluid hips and excellent footwork. He presents the versatility to play different schemes, but his play in zone with his eyes to the quarterback is when he seems to be at his best. His ability to read the routes, bait quarterbacks into throws, and break on the ball is top-tier.
Worst - Suddenness
While he mirrors well downfield, there are occasional tightness issues when he has to make sudden stops and starts, especially against twitchy, quick-cut slot receivers or in off-man coverage against sharp-breaking routes. His change-of-direction isn’t bad by any means, but it’s not as elite as the rest of his game. Against top-level NFL route runners who can snap off routes in a blink, that slight stiffness could be exposed more often.
Best - Processing Speed
Barron is elite when it comes to his football intelligence and instincts, particularly in zone coverage. His exceptional ability to read quarterbacks, anticipate route combinations, and position himself to disrupt plays sets him apart. This high football IQ enables him to make impactful plays, as evidenced by him winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024.
Worst - Length
At around 5’11” and a measured arm length of just 29 5/8” (13th percentile), he doesn’t have the prototypical frame teams often want in outside corners or hybrid safeties. That lack of size can show up in contested catch situations especially against bigger, more physical receivers or tight ends. He competes hard, but he can be outmuscled or boxed out at the catch point. This size limitation caps his versatility a bit and leaves him...
