Dallas Cowboys: Will this rookie defender start Week One?

Will this Dallas Cowboys rookie climb the depth chart it time to start Week One?

This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys suffered two significant losses to their defensive secondary. But off the strength of their recent draft class and some smart free agency additions of their own, the Cowboys could actually see a defensive resurgence in 2020.

Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones and starting safety Jeff Heath both left Dallas this offseason for the greener grass of free agency, leaving the Cowboys’ secondary in limbo. The trio of Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Anthony Brown all figured to fill the void left by Jones.

While at safety, the Cowboys would need to find a new starter to pair with Xavier Woods, with both Darian Thompson and Donovan Wilson as candidates on the depth chart. But Dallas signed former first-round safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix presumably to try and fill that role.

At corner, the Cowboys signed veteran defensive back Daryl Worley via free agency, who has experience both at cornerback and safety. But Dallas was determined to bring in some new blood at the corner position as well.

Dallas Cowboys kickoff another youth revolution in the secondary

During the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cowboys drafted Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs with their second-round selection, 51st overall. Then they picked Tulsa defensive back Reggie Robinson II in the fourth round.

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While Robinson recently got some reps at safety, it’s been Diggs that has been wowing onlookers at training camp. Due to Jourdan Lewis suffering an ankle injury, the Cowboys’ second-round rookie has been benefiting from extra reps at training camp. And according to reports, Diggs is making the most of them.

That progress continued on Friday with DallasCowboys.com’s staff writers Rob Phillips and David Helman noting the following about Diggs’ excellent showing so far.

"” … the Cowboys have given plenty of looks to rookie Trevon Diggs and he hasn’t disappointed. On Friday, he had another pass breakup in a team drill to get the defense off the field on third down. His long arms and long stride also keep him in position on deep routes, something he did again on Friday running with Jon’Vea Johnson down the field on a deep pass that fell incomplete.”"

Trevon Diggs, the younger brother of Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs, worked out heavily with his sibling this offseason. And that investment has been paying dividends for the rookie corner despite the lack of a true offseason training program. It seems to have given him an edge over most first-year players.

The Dallas Cowboys have a trio of trusted veteran cornerbacks who can step up and start Week One if needed. But with both Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis entering the final year of their rookie contracts, having someone like Trevon Diggs earn a starting role right out of training camp would be a massive step forward for the future of this positional group in Dallas.