When you end a full season having one of the worst defenses in league history and the worst statistical defense in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, you figure out a way to fix it -- or else.
Fortunately for Cowboys fans, the defense does look a whole lot different and at all three levels. Having added a plethora of talent all over the place, the Cowboys have sent a message to many players who were here last year: your job isn't guaranteed.
One of those players who should be watching his spot on the depth chart and roster very carefully is former Green Bay Packers cornerback Corey Ballentine, who re-signed with the team earlier this offseason.
Corey Ballentine has more than an uphill battle to make the Dallas Cowboys' roster
Once a sixth-round pick out of Washburn, by the New York Giants back in 2019, Ballentine would go on to become a valuable depth piece in Green Bay where he started a total of seven games. He's now bounced around a bit since entering the league, serving stints with the Giants, Jets, Lions, Patriots and he's now in his second year with the Cowboys.
As a reserve for the Cowboys in 2025, Ballentine would only appear in five games. For fans who might not remember, he did not miss any time for a major injury last season. He was simply not part of the every-week game plan.
Now 30 years old and never having been a full-time starter, Ballentine's best chances of making this roster are if he proves to excel on special teams.
The Cowboys added a total of six defensive backs this offseason by way of free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. When we're looking at the cornerback room, specifically, the Cowboys are led by DaRon Bland and free agent acquisition Cobie Durant on the outside. Nothing is set in stone just yet, but rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs could wind up playing much of his time in the slot as he'll be moved around in Christian Parker's system.
Rookie fourth-round pick Devin Moore is in there as a key reserve, as are Shavon Revel and Reddy Steward. Technically speaking, you could argue that this would make six cornerbacks who are likely to make the roster.
If you wanted to argue Downs as a safety, still, then Ballentine would be competing with Caelen Carson for that sixth spot -- assuming the Cowboys kept six corners.
Maybe the best way to look at this is the Cowboys keeping a total of 10 defensive backs. If they do so, and we count Downs as a corner, then we will toss in safeties Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, Markquese Bell and P.J. Locke.
That's 10.
Does Ballentine stick around over someone like Bell? It could wind up being extremely close.
Either way, the Cowboys should've taken the hint when Ballentine wasn't even good enough for a Packers team who was struggling mightily at the cornerback position between 2024 and 2025. Again, he is going to have a difficult path forward.
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