The Dallas Cowboys entered this offseason with a clear objective: to get significantly better on defense. To accomplish that goal, they added several defenders in free agency and the draft, and they may now have more defenders than they actually need.
Since Dallas has been so bad defensively, that’s not a bad thing. It just means they will have a competitive offseason and training camp, as players duke it out for roster spots. The standouts will emerge, and enter the regular season with the team, but some guys will be sent packing.
While it’s still early in the offseason, signs are already pointing to a steep uphill battle for one defender who came to Dallas this offseason. That defender is cornerback Derion Kendrick, and his time with the team could end before ever playing a game.
Cornerback Derion Kendrick faces an uphill battle to make Dallas Cowboys roster
Kendrick only signed a one-year deal worth $1.315 million with the Cowboys, so it was clear from the start that he’d have to battle for everything. As things currently stand, the battle isn’t looking all that good for Kendrick. DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant are in line to be the two starting corners, and first-round pick Caleb Downs is penciled in as the nickel.
Behind them are Shavon Revel Jr., Devin Moore, and Reddy Steward, all guys who are higher on the priority list than Kendrick. That leaves Kendrick fighting for a third string spot, and those are usually claimed by younger players who play a big role on specials teams. Kendrick will have to prove his value early in training camp or he could be looking for a new team.
The veteran corner was drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, and became a contributing player for them. As a rookie, Kendrick started six of the 15 games he played in, and then started 12 in year two, while playing in all 17 games.
It seemed like Kendrick was on his way to being a late-round gem, but his career was turned upside down when he tore his ACL in July of 2024. He missed the entire 2024 season, was eventually waived by the Rams, and claimed by the Seattle Seahawks.
After 10 games in Seattle, he was waived and claimed by the Rams, going back to Los Angeles to finish the 2025 season.
That journey led him to the Cowboys this offseason, and unless Derion Kendrick has a strong training camp, the journey may continue with another team.
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