After the Dallas Cowboys were torched in coverage this season, the hiring of former Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker couldn’t have come at a better time.
Even in a game the Cowboys won, rookie Shavon Revel Jr. couldn’t escape scrutiny after drawing attention for the wrong reasons against the Commanders on Christmas Day.
That said, Revel did a lot of nice things in coverage. Every rookie cornerback will have growing pains, and Parker's arrival can at least help the young defender clear a crucial first hurdle: tackling.
Cowboys DC Christian Parker's first assignment should be developing Shavon Revel Jr.
Revel did not cover himself in glory as a tackler in the Christmas Day game. The best cornerbacks in today's NFL are excellent in coverage, but they are also willing tacklers. That is something Parker must engrain into the East Carolina product if he's to realize his full potential.
Even though Parker is now overseeing the entire defense, his background as a defensive backs coach is exactly what Revel needs after a rocky rookie year.
Returning from a torn ACL is hard enough, but Matt Eberflus asked Revel to play off coverage even though he thrives in press-man. Late in the season, opponents began targeting Revel in the Cowboys’ zone looks because he clearly wasn’t comfortable in them.
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With Trevon Diggs out of the picture, Revel will have all eyes on him in 2026. The Cowboys will surely draft a cornerback with one of their two first-round picks even with Revel returning, but the East Carolina product will be expected to start in Week 1 if he's healthy.
Revel has the build and athleticism to be a lockdown cornerback. He has the speed and physicality to match up against any wide receiver, but he didn't get the proper coaching in year one, and he missed most of training camp putting the finishing touches on his ACL rehab.
Being a full participant in OTAs, minicamp, and training camp will make a world of difference. Add in coaching from a DBs guru like Parker, and the outlook for Revel’s sophomore season improves dramatically.
From Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell in Philadelphia to Patrick Surtain and Justin Simmons in Denver, Parker has earned rave reviews everywhere he's coached. He has plenty on his plate as a first-time DC, but taking Revel under his wing should be high on his priority list.