2020 Dallas Cowboys vs Super Bowl Champ Kansas City Chiefs
Cornerback
The cornerback position is one that both the Chiefs and Cowboys needed help at coming into the offseason. The Cowboys addressed their needs, and the Chiefs made the most with what they had last season.
A perfect representation of the Chiefs making the most with what they had, was the great sophomore season from Charvarius Ward. You can argue he had a bigger breakout season than Mecole Hardman.
Ward impressed everyone with two interceptions, 10 passes defended, and 73 tackles. He made quarterbacks remember his name after holding them to a lowly 47.2 completion percentage and 65.2 passer rating. That’s up from a 78.9 percent completion percentage and a 124.1passer rating in 2018.
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Speaking of players that have stepped up, why not bring up Dallas’ Chidobe Awuzie? He has improved every season, ending 2019 with 79 tackles, one interception, and 14 passes defended. He also held quarterbacks to a 59.8 percent completion percentage and an 89.1 passer rating.
In his first year in KC, Bashaud Breeland played well, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 48.4 percent completion percentage. Add in 48 tackles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions. Breeland also recovered two fumbles, with one being for a touchdown.
The Cowboys selected Trevon Diggs in the second round of the 2020 draft. It is expected that he will step into the number two spot after a good stint with Alabama. His 2019 saw him rack up 37 tackles, eight passes defended, and three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown.
Joe Marino of The Draft Network said he can see Diggs playing as a number two or number three corner in the NFL. I’m not sure how he will start the season, but I’m sure he will finish the season strong.
Now former Chief, Kendall Fuller, had a questionable season in 2019. While getting 49 tackles and defending two passes with a limited role in 11 games is good, he lacked giving the quarterback trouble. Against Fuller, they had a 77.8 percent completion percentage and a 131.6 passer rating.
Jourdan Lewis has been a stud nickel corner for the Cowboys. In 2019 he had 51 tackles, six passes defended, and two interceptions. He also had one fumble recovery which was also returned for a touchdown, and 4.0 sacks.
Lewis has proved himself as a multi-use corner that can cover, defend the run, and rush the quarterback. This is all while holding quarterbacks to a 68.1 percent completion percentage and an 86.8 passer rating.
Dallas lost their former number one cornerback this offseason in Byron Jones. Because of that, they have Awuzie likely shifting to the number one spot with Diggs taking the second spot.
The only thing we know about this Cowboys group is that Lewis will perform at his spot. While I believe Awuzie and Diggs will play well in their respective positions, we won’t know until they are tested this season.
The Chiefs had their top two corners have really good seasons but saw their number three play questionably. Locking up number one cornerbacks is not an easy task, yet Ward did an amazing job with it.
The Chiefs have fewer questions with one of the league’s next top cornerbacks in Ward. Both him and Breeland held opposing quarterbacks to under a 50 percent completion percentage. Had the Cowboys still had Jones this would be different, but the Chiefs win this round.