The Cowboys as stated previously had an explosive offensive attack that was among the best in the NFL during the 2025 season but still managed to finish below .500 as the team had a poor defense that allowed the most points in the regular season. The team has since fired veteran defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and onboarded the young/upcoming Christian Parker to presume the defensive coordinator duties. The personnel that Dallas had last season on defense was also part of their undoing and the players on the defensive roster will need to improve as well if the unit plans on improving. I have already conducted an evaluation of the front seven personnel for the Cowboys headed into next season and here I will go into detail assessing the secondary personnel that the team has headed into next year.
Set to start at the first of the two primary cornerback spots is veteran Cobie Durant. Durant is known for being a player that has a high ceiling but lacks in consistency. Durant, a 4th rounder before the 2022 season, looked very strong in limited rookie snaps grading in the top 20% among players at his position despite being a rookie. Durant then struggled the next two seasons grading below average on both occasions as he struggled to adjust to becoming a starter. However, during the 2025 season Durant seemed to bounce back and prove himself as a starter, grading in the top third among players at his position taking over 800 snaps. Durant is very inconsistent, but I like his chances of becoming a solid if not more than that starter under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker who is known for helping defensive backs thrive. As Parker landed the Dallas head coaching job based on his work as a defensive backs coach with both the Broncos and Eagles.
Set to start at the strong safety spot is former third rounder Jalen Thompson who is a strong starting caliber player. Thompson in five of six seasons, outside of his rookie year, has graded in the above average to well above average range among players at his position. However, Thompson has shown some inconsistencies in his career and has never quite shown an elite ceiling either.
Set to start at the free safety spot is former first rounder Malik Hooker who is very talented but very inconsistent. Hooker in six of eight seasons outside of his rookie year has graded in the above average range among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus. However, in two seasons he has shown inconsistences, one of those seasons was also during this 2025 campaign. Hooker has shown a borderline elite ceiling at times in the NFL thus far but also has been below average for long stretches as well. Perhaps new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who as aforementioned has a background of getting the most out of defensive backs, can get Hooker to be on his A game.
Set to start at the other primary cornerback spot is Daron Bland who is likely the best player in Dallas’ secondary and is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Bland has graded in the above average to elite range among players at his position in all four seasons he has played thus far in the NFL. Bland during the 2023 season was graded as the top overall cornerback in the NFL, earning First-team All-Pro honors and leading the NFL in interceptions as well. Bland has looked good but not special the past two seasons since defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left town. Perhaps Bland can recapture elite form with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker who comes from a defensive back background as stated previously.
Rounding out Dallas’ starting secondary is 2026 1st rounder Caleb Downs who is set to start at the nickel cornerback spot. Downs was one of the top defensive prospects entering the draft and was taken in almost the top ten which is rare for a defensive back to be taken that high. Downs has what it takes to become a transformative defensive player in the league but will likely see his rookie growing pains.
From a depth standpoint in the defensive backfield the Cowboys have some notable names that could provide the team with some depth and/or could step into the starting lineup if some of the young/inconsistent players are struggling. 2025 3rd rounder Shavon Revel Jr struggled as a rookie but was still drafted quite high and was listed as a starter for much of the offseason. Safety Markquese Bell has shown an elite ceiling as a box safety/linebacker but lacks consistency and maybe is better suited as a front seven player. Safety P.J Locke played at an elite level at times early in his career but is far too inconsistent. While the same can be said for cornerback Reddy Steward as well. 2022 sixth round cornerback Derion Kendrick struggled to start his career but then played at a borderline elite level in limited snaps in 2025. While 2023 6th round cornerback Ameer Speed has looked strong in very limited career snaps.
Dallas in totality has a talented secondary that could rank among the best in the sport. However, their secondary as of now is very inconsistent/young/unproven for me to feel comfortable in saying it will be elite although it certainly could be. It should also come as a positive sign that new defensive Christian Parker comes from a background of working with defensive backs. As Parker was able to land the Dallas defensive coordinator job after being a defensive backs coach for the Broncos and Eagles and coaching multiple players in each of those backend defenses to All-Pro teams. The inconsistent players in the backend of the defense should be on their A game under Parker who has a nose for working very well with defensive backs. Dallas also has a lot of depth in their secondary as well so if players are not on their A game, they could be replaced by players who are.
A breakdown of the Dallas secondary heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
2026 Cowboys’ Projected Starting Secondary
LCB – Cobie Durant – C+ to B-, high ceiling, inconsistent
SS – Jalen Thompson – B to B-
FS – Malik Hooker – B to B-
RCB – Daron Bland – A-
NB – Caleb Downs – 2026 1st rounder
2026 Notable Cowboys’ Reserve Secondary PlayersÂ
CB – Shavon Revel Jr – 2025 3rd rounder, D- as rookie
S – Markquese Bell – C+ to B-, elite in limited snaps as box safety/linebacker, struggles to cover
S – P.J Locke – C+
CB – Reddy Steward – C+
CB – Derion Kendrick – C+
CB – Ameer Speed – B+ in 16 career snaps
