Without pads on, it's difficult to make any real sweeping statements about players during the NFL offseason program. With that said, while it's more difficult to evaluate guys who play closer to the ball, you can get a solid beat on players who play away from the ball, like receivers and cornerbacks.
If a player at the cornerback position is stacking days in the offseason program, it's worth noting heading into training camp, and that's exactly what 2024 fifth-round pick Caelen Carson has done during the 2026 offseason program.
With other players like Shavon Revel and veteran Cobie Durant understandably drawing more attention for the Cowboys' new-look defense, Carson's potential emergence could throw a fun wrinkle into the position battle at training camp, and perhaps even give the Cowboys an unexpected "W" from a 2024 draft class that has otherwise largely disappointed up to this point.
Carson's first two NFL seasons have been plagued by injuries, but he has a chance to really emerge entering year three, his first under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Caelen Carson quietly becoming a factor in Cowboys' offseason cornerback battle
Carson just turned 24 years old in March, and still obviously has a chance to become an impact player at the next level. The Cowboys have the right coach in place to get the most out of him in Christian Parker, who is a defensive backs guy by nature and has done an incredible job developing talent in the secondary throughout the course of his coaching career.
We've seen some impressive work from Carson in a limited sample in the past, as well. He showed tremendous improvement last year as a second-year player, allowing just 57.9 percent of throws in his direction to be completed and no touchdowns allowed on 19 total targets.
Still, the sample is limited, and when injury history starts to pile up in the NFL, teams have to start making alternative plans. And the Cowboys have that in veteran Cobie Durant and second-year player Shavon Revel. But Carson was working in with the starting unit during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, indicating that the fresh eyes of Parker on this defense are proving to be a benefit for Carson early on.
Cowboys CBs Caelen Carson and Cobie Durant continue to work as the starting reside corners with DaRon Bland out.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) June 16, 2026
Even after the first week of OTAs, Carson was looking like one of the top standouts on the roster, which is huge news if it continues into training camp and the preseason games.
DaRon Bland being out with an injury until training camp has given the Cowboys a chance to really evaluate the depth and young players they have at this position, and guys emerging from within your own program is typically one of the most underrated ways a team can take massive leaps forward year over year.
Anytime you're getting a shoutout from the head coach, it's a great sign. Carson has quietly built some strong momentum despite maybe even being written off completely heading into this offseason by the fan base.
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