6 Cowboys players whose time is running out in Dallas

Jourdan Lewis, CB

The short career of cornerback Jourdan Lewis so far feels like the story of what could have been. And perhaps, it takes a redemption arc in the second act on another team next season. Like Awuzie, Lewis is a member of the Cowboys’ 2017 draft class. One that seeded three starters into the secondary. And one where all three are scheduled to hit free agency soon.

Lewis seemed to be on a draft-steal path coming out of Michigan. Selected in the third round, the former Wolverine showed promise as a potential defensive Rookie of the Year candidate early on. And while those lofty aspirations faded quickly, the promise Lewis showed in his first season in Dallas was encouraging.

But soon arrived former Legion of Boom coordinator Kris Richard to Dallas. And the team’s new defensive back coach and passing game coordinator brought with him his predilections for taller corners cultivated from his days with the Seattle Seahawks.

That left the 5-foot-10 Lewis out in the cold for the bulk of two seasons. But the new coaching staff in Dallas this past offseason meant possible new life for the fourth-year defender entering the final season of his rookie deal.

Yet, Lewis has been unable to make the most of the new opportunity in 2020. Prior to Sunday’s matchup against the Niners, he’d posted just one pass deflection and no interceptions in 12 games. But against San Fran, Lewis shined registering his first sack on the season along with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pass defend. Unfortunately, that performance alone is unlikely to earn him another tour in Dallas.