Predictions for Cowboys top six free agents this offseason

Chidobe Awuzie, CB

Back in 2017, when the Dallas Cowboys made Chidobe Awuzie their second-round selection out of Colorado, it marked a cornerback revolution in Big D. Essentially, Awuzie and fellow third-round rookie, Jourdan Lewis, replaced outgoing veterans Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne as starters.

Four years later, and it’s Awuzie and Lewis who are getting potentially replaced this season by the likes of Trevon Diggs, a second-rounder from last year, and a player yet to be selected in the upcoming NFL draft.

For Awuzie, last season wasn’t an ideal ending in Dallas. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, 2020 represented an opportunity for the fourth-year cornerback to earn an extension with the Cowboys or at least impress prospective free-agent suitors this offseason.

Instead, Awuzie played a mere eight games last season, missing half the year due to a lingering hamstring injury and landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He’d end the season recording 38 tackles, one interception, and a career-low five pass deflections. Awuzie would post a total of four interceptions over his four-years in Dallas, one pick per season.

Prediction: Chidobe Awizue is not re-signed by the Cowboys and allowed to leave via free agency.