Cowboys should sign recently-released former Pro Bowler to stabilize CB room

UPDATE: The Cowboys signed Xavier Rhodes to their practice squad.

The Dallas Cowboys have everything at their disposal to win a Super Bowl. Between boasting an elite offense, piloted by maybe the best QB in the entire NFC, and a defense that’s forced the most takeaways in the NFL, anything less than an appearance in the Conference Championship Game would be a failure.

At the same time, though, the Cowboys could be bounced in Round 1 if their pitfalls come full-circle. Those pitfalls? Turnovers on offense, and a lack of clarity at cornerback behind Trevon Diggs and fifth-round rookie DaRon Bland, who’s been a godsend following the injuries to Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.

In fairness, Nahshon Wright has held his own in an increased role. The second-year player grabbed his first career interception against the Titans, and was a catalyst in Dallas’ fourth-quarter comeback vs Philly on Christmas Eve.

Still, though, we’re talking about a defender who hadn’t played more than 20 defensive snaps in a game this year until the Eagles win.

With Kelvin Joseph being a detriment regardless of his role, the Cowboys should be leaving no stone unturned as far as searching for reinforcements .

It’s admittedly slim pickings this late in the year, but Buffalo might’ve gift-wrapped a potential addition in grizzled vet Xavier Rhodes.

Should the Cowboys sign recently-released CB Xavier Rhodes?

Rhodes is nowhere near the stud he was in his prime. From 2016-18, Rhodes was in the discussion for the NFL’s premier corner. After a falling out in Minnesota, he signed with the Colts, where he played for two seasons in 2020 and ’21.

With Indy, Rhodes started all 29 games he played, and compiled three interceptions, 19 passes defended, and 81 tackles. Per Pro Football Focus, Rhodes allowed just a 56.9% completion rate,   and a 85.6 passer rating when targeted, to go with 14 breakups. These stats equated to an impressive 69.9 coverage grade.

Those numbers are definitely passable. Rhodes just didn’t pan out in Buffalo after signing with the practice squad on Sept. 28. Joining an already-deep secondary, Rhodes wasn’t activated to the 53-man active roster until Nov. 26. He appeared in two games, making four tackles and allowing 49 yards on five catches.

Signing Rhodes and asking him to get up to speed with the playbook in time for Wild Card Weekend is probably wishful thinking.

But isn’t it worth a dart-throw … especially as the No. 4 corner behind Diggs, Bland and Wright? The Cowboys’ current options include Joseph, Mackensie Alexander, and Trayvon Mullen. Why not sign Rhodes, a three-time Pro Bowler, to the practice squad and take it from there?

Though well past his prime and seemingly in the twilight of his career, we’ll hazard a guess and say most Cowboys fans would take him over Joseph in a heartbeat. The same could even be said for Alexander and Mullen.

In mentioning the Bills, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that our thoughts and prayers continue to be with safety Damar Hamlin after he collapsed on the field Monday night against the Bengals.

Hamlin has been in critical condition, but the team released a statement Thursday saying Hamlin has made “remarkable improvement” over the last 24 hours. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added that Hamlin opened his eyes Wednesday night, and has been “gripping the hands of those close to him.”

This is a great sign. Don’t stop praying.

Jaguars sign former Cowboys first-round bust amid playoff surge

Two weeks after beating the Cowboys in overtime, the Jaguars signed former Dallas first-round draft bust Taco Charlton to their practice squad.