So much attention has been paid to the Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback and running back competitions that it’s been easy to overlook Cobie Durant vs. Shavon Revel.
That may be because the first two battles have provided little clarity throughout camp and the preseason, while Durant and Revel have both played at a high level. Make no mistake, though: the CB2 race is every bit as important as any competition the Cowboys have had this summer.
If the latest developments from practice are any indicator, Durant will be starting opposite DaRon Bland against the New York Giants in Week 1. It was Durant -- not Revel -- who was on the field with the first-team defense to start team drills this week (h/t Todd Archer, ESPN).
Cobie Durant seems to have won Cowboys' CB2 battle against Shavon Revel
Seems like Cobie Durant will be the starter opposite DaRon Bland as Week 1 approaches. Shavon Revel has had a nice camp, but Durant is getting the work with the ones.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 26, 2026
As well as Revel has played, this isn't all that surprising.
Durant has arguably had a better summer and has 39 career starts under his belt, to go with 69 total appearances in four seasons.
The Rams opted not to bring him back for a fifth year, but he played extremely well in 2025 despite being thrown at a ton. He allowed just 41 of 70 targets to be completed, per PFF, and his 85.6 passer rating allowed would have been the best on Dallas last season by a comfortable margin.
Durant offers proven reliability, while Revel remains more of a projection for now. The former ECU standout really struggled as a rookie after returning from a torn ACL. He clearly lacked confidence in his body, and a dysfunctional coaching setup only compounded the problem.
Revel's play this summer has everyone's attention, but that doesn't mean Christian Parker should just throw him into the starting lineup. Regular-season football is a different sport compared to training camp and preseason.
Durant is battle-tested. He knows what it's like to be targeted by an opposing play-caller. We've seen him bounce back after a poor rep. You don't have to look beyond last year's playoffs. He gave up big plays, but he was arguably the Rams' top defensive back.
The 28-year-old allowed 16.3 yards per catch in the postseason, and PFF claims he was the nearest defender on three touchdowns. However, he also led all players with three interceptions and only surrendered 10 catches on 22 targets.
Cobie Durant starting isn't an indictment on Shavon Revel; it's the correct call
Of course that guy is starting. And it's no indictment on Revel that he "lost" the CB2 battle. He's going to play a ton this season.
Revel looks the part of a future lockdown cornerback. He brings the length and physicality expected of a No. 1 CB, and his explosive burst is fully back. He’s the type of corner Parker can leave on an island against an opposing WR2, freeing up safety help to double or bracket the primary target.
Parker clearly has a plan for Revel. He's played like a starter, but so has Durant. That's a champagne problem if we've ever seen one. If DaRon Bland can get back to his pre-injury form, cornerback could become a strength of this team.
Let's not get carried away, though.
Barring any changes, expect Bland and Durant to be your starting cornerbacks against the Giants, with Caleb Downs rotating in when the Cowboys aren't in base defense.
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