Cowboys beat Saints: 5 players whose stock is soaring

Jourdan Lewis, CB

There is no one player who has suffered through more in the past two seasons in Dallas than Lewis. The former third rounder out of Michigan was the team’s top performing rookie last season, starting seven games for Dallas and touted as the future of the position.

Enter in new defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Kris Richard this offseason. As the former defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom, Richard covets size in his cornerbacks. And the 5-foot-10 Lewis didn’t fit that mold.

So the team’s top rookie performer from 2017 was suddenly playing snaps on the second team and barely seeing any meaningful playing time. Lewis could have easily crumbled under the weight of those changes.

Against the Saints, Lewis was called into action as the defense played more corners in an attempt to slow down New Orleans’ explosive offense. Covering dangerous dual-threat running back Alvin Kamara, Lewis shined.

Kamara had 11 carries for a mere 36 rushing yards. He was also targeted 11 times in the passing game, recording eight catches for only 36 yards.

In the final moments of the game, Lewis was able to get a game-sealing, finger-tip interception. He nearly had a pick in the first half as well. It was a redemption game for the former starter. And it speaks volumes about Lewis’ ability to persevere this season.