Did the Dallas Cowboys do enough to repair defense?

CORNERBACK

• Starters: Anthony Brown, Orlando Scandrick, Nolan Carroll
• Rotation: Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis
• Key losses: Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne

The losses of Carr and Claiborne were destined to sting if not replaced properly.

Dallas made a strong effort by signing Carroll and drafting Awuzie and Lewis in early rounds. The problem is Brown and the rookies missed weeks of camp with injuries.

Nobody with enough talent could stay healthy to bump Carroll to the fourth slot. The defense is now dependent on his ability to hold down premiere receivers.

I hate to be the bearer of brutal truth, but Carroll’s starting role is going to greatly damage this unit.

Claiborne was great last year but couldn’t stay healthy as always. Carr was no lock down corner but was dependable and rarely gave up back breaking, easy scores.

Carroll is less competent than both, and his play is wildly inconsistent. For a team without consistent pressure, his hot/cold routine may lose close games.

My only hope is Lewis can get back to form within a few weeks into the season and replace Carroll in the starting nickel trio.

Awuzie has flashed when healthy, but Lewis is more talented and pro ready. One of the rookies must step up and unseat Carroll before he does real damage.

With the injuries and Carroll a sizable downgrade to Carr as expected, right now I’m calling the corner position a concerning decline from 2016.