Dallas Cowboys fans are waiting with bated breath for the team to trade for a veteran linebacker. Stars Jordyn Brooks and Azeez Al-Shaair have reportedly been discussed internally, but nothing has materialized.
In the meantime, the Cowboys have continued to retool their secondary. Having already signed safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, and cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Corey Ballentine, they have now agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams starter Derion Kendrick.
It's a one-year deal for Kendrick, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. While this is (another) depth signing more than anything else, it does not bode well for third-year pro Caelen Carson.
The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly signed Derion Kendrick
Signing Kendrick obviously does not rule out Dallas drafting a cornerback with one of their two first-round picks. In fact, that's probably their top target.
Whether it's LSU's Mansoor Delane at No. 12 or Clemson's Aveion Terrell at No. 20, you can all but guarantee the Cowboys taking a cornerback in Round 1.
That’d be brutal news for Carson, who’s struggled to stay healthy since entering the NFL as a fifth-round pick out of Wake Forest in 2024. He locked down Amari Cooper in his first career start, but it's been a steady slide ever since, playing just 13 of a possible 33 games while being shaky in coverage.
Like Carson, Kendrick has struggled to make a name for himself. He's a streaky player, but brings 18 games of starting experience.
It was a limited sample size, but Kendrick was solid in coverage for the Rams and Seattle Seahawks last season, allowing just 7-of-14 targets to be completed while intercepting two passes on 94 coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Let's say Dallas drafts Mansoor Delane next month. The room would consist of DaRon Bland, Delane, Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Carson, Reddy Steward, and Zion Childress. Not to mention, Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke are both comfortable playing in the slot.
Carson’s roster spot was already iffy entering the offseason. Now, he’s firmly on the bubble.