The Dallas Cowboys' need for a cornerback is glaring at this point and the concerns were exacerbated when Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer revealed that rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr., who's recovering from ACL surgery, suffered a setback.
It is still unclear when Revel's setback occurred. It may have been before the draft. Regardless, Cowboys fans have been pounding the table for a new cornerback.
Jaire Alexander seemed like a no-brainer target following his Packers release, but he has been scooped up by the Ravens. ESPN' Adam Schefter reported that Alexander turned down more money elsewhere to reunite with his college teammate, Lamar Jackson.
Cowboys predictably lose the Jaire Alexander sweepstakes
It remains to be seen if Dallas inquired about Alexander. If they didn't, they will be kicking themselves because Baltimore got him at a very reasonable price.
Per reports, it is a one-year, $4 million deal with an additional $2 million available if Alexander hits playing incentives, so it carries a $6 million maximum value. While Alexander has missed 20 games the last two seasons due to injury, that deal comes with very little downside.
The Cowboys currently rank sixth in the NFL with $32.1 million cap space. They will add a whopping $18 million to the pot once they extend Micah Parsons. They are sitting on a mountain of money.
Before signing Alexander, the Ravens had just over $18 million in cap space. While Baltimore is markedly closer to a Super Bowl than Dallas, both teams have needs at cornerback.
The Cowboys expect Trevon Diggs to miss the start of the season. Revel is expected back sooner, but Dallas may be cautious with their prized rookie. DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Caelen Carson, Andrew Booth and Israel Mukuamu are the only healthy CBs on the roster that played defensive snaps last year.
Maybe Jerry Jones extended an offer to Alexander. Maybe Alexander's sights were solely set on Baltimore. There is a lot of gray area in the immediate aftermath, but Alexander was the best cornerback left on the market.
The options are dwindling for Dallas to upgrade.