On paper, it seems like the Dallas Cowboys have one of the most talented cornerback rooms in the entire NFL.
There are two former NFL All-Pros in DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs. There’s an up-and-coming young star in rookie Shavon Revel.
The problem? None of them are really healthy or happy.
So, instead of being a strength, the position is a weakness headed into the 2025 regular season, Diggs and Revel are both coming off ACL injuries suffered last season and almost certainly won’t be on the field for the season opener. Bland is in limbo as he waits on what should be a lucrative contract extension.
That means there’s room for someone else to come in and make an impact at the position. The Athletic’s Jon Machota thinks that could mean a spot on the 53-man roster for rookie cornerback and undrafted free agent Zion Childress.
“He’s another undrafted rookie who has put himself in position to potentially make the roster,” Machota wrote on August 15. “Cornerback is arguably Dallas’ biggest area of concern. Beyond DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam, there’s not much to be confident about in Week 1. Trevon Diggs (knee) and rookie Shavon Revel (knee) are expected to return at some point this season, but it’s unclear when. The season opener seems unlikely. If Childress continues to show he can handle working on the inside, he not only will make the roster, he’ll have an opportunity to play early in the season.”
Childress Transferred to SEC to Close Out College Career
Childress, 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds, grew up in New Caney, Texas, and starred at Texas State for 2 seasons before he transferred to Kentucky for his final 3 college seasons. With the Wildcats, he was an All-SEC pick in 2024 and a 2-time team captain.
“Childress’ signing marks a return to familiar ground,” Athlon’s Alec Elijah wrote. “A Greater Houston native and former Texas State recruit, he spent two seasons in the Sun Belt before transferring to Kentucky and elevating his competition level. His adaptability, sharpened against SEC offenses, could prove valuable in the NFL, where defensive backs are expected to handle a wide range of assignments.
One of the more incredible stats about Childress is the thing NFL teams have come to value above almost anything else — experience. Childress finished his college career with 40 starts in 62 career games.
”Kentucky safety Zion Childress is an incredibly versatile defensive back prospect,” Draft Network’s Justin Melo wrote. “Beginning his career at Texas State, Childress played all five positions in the secondary as a true freshman.”
Childress is currently listed as the backup nickel back on the depth chart behind Kemon Hall.
Cowboys Have ‘Contract Albatross’ at Cornerback
There is no bigger albatross contract on the Cowboys roster right now than Diggs.
The former NFL All-Pro has played in just 13 out of a possible 34 regular season games since he signed a 5-year, $97 million contract extension signed in 2023 that runs through 2028.
Bland is in the final year of his 4-year, $3.96 million rookie contract and Spotrac projects his market value in the range of a 4-year, $94.2 million contract in 2026. That type of deal would put him among the NFL’s highest paid cornerbacks.
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