Latest news with #cornerbacks
Yahoo
2 days ago
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There were 12 in the camp, and the Cowboys CBs said, who's healthy? So they rolled all out
The Cowboys could field a competitive secondary just with the cornerbacks who might not even be available to start the 2025 season. Injuries to Trevon Diggs, Josh Butler, and Shavon Revel Jr. leave Dallas with hard decisions, wanting to have enough to survive until those three are ready to perform. If none are, could the team add a free agent like Stephon Gilmore or Mike Hilton to bolster the unit? That's the biggest takeaway when looking at the position group, but it may not be the most important factor. DaRon Bland is an excellent starting piece to any secondary. A former All-Pro and the all-time Pick-6 King, Bland is the reason the team isn't eager to make a move at corner. He will play outside, mostly, but might need to slide inside to the nickel position when opponents boast great slot receivers. Kaiir Elam is the odds-on favorite to be the other outside corner. The Cowboys traded with the Buffalo Bills for the former first-round pick who started 12 games and played over 900 snaps in Buffalo, but wasn't a good fit. He brings his talents to Dallas for a second chance while coming off his best season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He had his best grade in every area this year, with a 70.2 overall, 75.6 run defense, 76.6 pass rush, and 67 coverage grades. If this is his baseline, then perhaps the Cowboys have truly stolen a solid piece who simply took a while to adjust to the NFL. Caelen Carson quickly went from the next draft-day steal to the latest question mark. He started the first three weeks, showing much promise, but was then injured and wasn't the same player upon his midseason return. Carson is physical and would be the perfect slot corner in a Matt Eberflus defense, if he can rediscover those opening week talents. Israel Mukuamu hasn't seen many snaps since his playoff showcase against Tom Brady a few years back, rotating from safety to corner. He would be in the lead for CB7, dependent upon how the injured group's roster inclusion is managed. Kemon Hall, Andrew Booth Jr., Troy Pride Jr., Robert Rochell, and Bruce Harmon will battle for possibly the final spot and try to make an impression before the return of Revel Jr., Diggs, and Butler. Hall played 124 special-teams snaps for Dallas. Booth Jr. started two games last season and he ended up being benched. Pride Jr. made it to the team late and played solid football in his only start. Rochell is a newly- signed player and is a long shot, just like Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) Bruce Harmon. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @ This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 key injuries cloud Cowboys CB group as training camp begins
Yahoo
3 days ago
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2 Big questions for Travis Hunter, other Jacksonville Jaguars' CBs in training camp
The Jacksonville Jaguars' rookies and veterans have now both arrived for training camp, and the team's first practice will take place on July 23rd. So with training camp essentially here, we are taking a position-by-position look at the Jaguars' roster, specifically examining the one big question that faces each unit. Advertisement Up next are the cornerbacks. If you missed any of our other previews, you can find them below. How much time does Travis Hunter spend at cornerback during training camp practices? As was the plan from the start, the bulk of Hunter's practice time during offseason programs was at wide receiver. As GM James Gladstone said, the team views cornerback as his more natural position. But now the next step in Hunter's progression will be routinely practicing on both sides of the ball during the same practice. For most of OTAs and minicamp, Hunter was either playing offense or defense on a given day, and rarely both. Advertisement "That's definitely what we have to build towards for training camp, and then obviously in season, knowing that during practice, he's going to have to do both," Liam Coen said via ESPN. "He wants to do it. It's not as if it's something he can't handle. He wants to go and do that more. He wants more, and that's a good thing. But ultimately, we also have to protect him from himself at times as well, and make sure we get out of this phase healthy, but that is absolutely the plan moving forward." Now, how exactly the Jaguars plan to go about dividing up that playing time remains to be seen. Who earns the starting job opposite of Tyson Campbell? The starting cornerback role opposite of Tyson Campbell is up for grabs. According to ESPN's Michael DiRocco, Montaric Brown saw a lot of playing time with the first team defense during offseason programs. Advertisement "That's who he's been every day that I've been here," Anthony Campanile said of Brown's ball production. "And I can only go by what I see every day that I'm out here, he competes. He loves to compete. "Same thing like Tyson, whether it's on the line of scrimmage, he's not afraid to challenge people. To challenge people at the top of the route and play with technique, but whatever he's gotta do to strain and make the play, he's been doing that, which is awesome. That's what we've been preaching and he's doing that every day." Jarrian Jones, meanwhile, has taken some time to acclimate to Anthony Campanile's zone-heavy defensive scheme. And circling back to the first question, how increased playing time at cornerback for Hunter impacts the reps at that position this summer is an unknown right now. This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars training camp: 2 Big questions for Travis Hunter, other CBs
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
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Washington Commanders training camp preview: Cornerbacks
Washington Commanders training camp kicks off next week when the veterans report. However, the 2025 rookie class is scheduled to report this week. Before camp opens, we here at Commanders Wire are previewing each unit before the players hit the field. We will begin our previews with the cornerbacks. Washington's cornerback room looks much different than it did one year ago at this time. Gone are failed former draft picks Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste. Since then, the Commanders have added Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos. It's a better group overall. How much better? Advertisement Let's dive in. Coaching staff Defensive coordinator: Joe Whitt Jr. Defensive backs coach: Tommy Donatell Assistant defensive backs coach: William Gay Defensive pass game coordinator: Jason Simmons Senior defensive assistant: John Pagano The Commanders have several coaches in the secondary with various backgrounds. Gay and Simmons were standout NFL players, while Pagano is a longtime assistant and two-time NFL defensive coordinator. Donatell was previously the Chargers' secondary coach before coming to Washington. This group worked well together in 2024, as young players like Mike Sainristil and Quan Martin took a significant leap. Sainristil, a rookie last season, improved throughout the season despite being asked to play inside and outside. Starters Outside: Marshon Lattimore Outside: Trey Amos Nickel/slot: Mike Sainristil Lattimore and Sainristil are locked in as starters. Much of Amos's starting depends on when he gets signed and what type of camp he has. If he can get signed before camp and continue to impress the way he did in the spring, he will start Week 1. However, Sainristil proved he could start on the outside, which Washington could do in the interim. Or, veteran Jonathan Jones can start outside or inside. He's also versatile and reliable and will play a lot. Noah Igbinoghene returns and will be the No. 5 cornerback. He played a lot last season and excelled in the slot. Advertisement Depth and reserves Jonathan Jones Noah Igbinoghene Bobby Price Allan George Kevon Seymour Car'lin Vigers (R) Fentrell Cypress II (R) Seymour played a lot on special teams last season. He also got some time at cornerback. Price offers terrific size, but will battle George, Seymour, Vigers and Cypress for a spot. One of these players must stand out in the preseason if they expect to win a job. Washington will likely keep a cornerback or two on the practice squad. Outlook Much of this group's potential hinges on Lattimore's health. If the veteran four-time Pro Bowler can remain healthy and resemble his former self, Washington has a true No. 1 cornerback to challenge some of the NFL's top receivers, like NFC East studs A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb and Malik Nabers. If he battles injuries, Washington will be more able to cover for him this fall with the presence of Jones and Amos. The Commanders need Amos to win a starting job and never look back. Jones is a reliable veteran who will never back down from a challenge. He's also a feisty run defender. Advertisement Sainristil looks like a future star. He was excellent in the slot last season before moving outside. When he moved outside, he did an outstanding job against Philadelphia's receivers, Brown and DeVonta Smith. Washington would prefer to play him inside, where he could challenge as the NFL's top slot cornerback. Igbinoghene was a smart re-signing. He thrived in an expanded role in 2024. This is a solid group. Could one of the Commanders' UDFAs (Vigers and Cypress) challenge for a spot? They had a strong offseason, especially Vigers. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders training camp preview: Cornerbacks
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Rookie Corner Labeled Possible Surprise
Buccaneers Rookie Corner Labeled Possible Surprise originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft class this season was impressive. General manager Jason Licht had a clear focus on the defensive side of the ball after returning all 11 starters from a stacked offense from a season ago. Advertisement The Bucs' defense struggled in pass coverage, with turnovers and pressuring the quarterback last season, and Licht was able to address those needs in both free agency and the draft. Tampa Bay drafted two cornerbacks in Rounds 1 and 2. Licht selected Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the second round and Kansas State's Jacob Parrish in the third. It was Parrish that USA Today's Bucs Wire tabbed as a possible surprise in 2025. "While everyone will know the name Benjamin Morrison, who they drafted in the second round, it is the cornerback they selected after him who could make the more immediate impact," Andrew Harbaugh wrote. "While Morrison continues to be brought along from a hip injury he suffered last year, Parrish has been able to practice and is now in the conversation to have the starting nickel role in 2025. Advertisement "He plays in a physical way, he provides run support, and is everything Todd Bowles looks for in his cornerbacks so look for him to play early and often." At the NFL Scouting Combine this year, coach Todd Bowles said he wanted "ballhawks" for his defense after the team tallied just seven interceptions last season. That's exactly what he's getting in Parrish, who had nine interceptions in two seasons, adding 19 pass breakups. He also didn't allow a touchdown in 159 coverage snaps in 2024, while the Bucs allowed 27 - 19th in the league. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Insider Reveals 'Emergency List' of 4 Free Agent Cornerbacks to Sign at Camp
Cowboys Insider Reveals 'Emergency List' of 4 Free Agent Cornerbacks to Sign at Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys believe they have — if only everybody were healthy — one of the best cornerback rooms in the NFL. Advertisement Seriously. Think about it. The playmakers in Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland. The first-round talent in Kaiir Elam. The rookie promise of Shavon Revel. And more. Alas, Diggs is rehabbing and it might be until midseason before he's right. Revel could be ready much sooner, but he's an unknown. Elam is until further notice a Buffalo Bills "bust.'' So, as training camp in Oxnard approaches, the group is, as our Mike Fisher has termed it ... "Bland and Blander.'' Should Dallas make a call for veteran free agent help now? That's not the plan; Fish says they will do so only once they get to camp and come to the realization that what they have won't cut cut it. And Fish also offers up four names on the "Break Glass In Case Of Cornerback Emergency'' List ... Advertisement To wit ... Stephon Gilmore He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, but that was a long time ago. What has "Gilly'' done for 'em lately? He's served as a Cowboys locker room leader two years ago and he's now free again. But he's also going to turn 35 years old in September. He's a comforting name ... but that age is concerning. Asante Samuel Jr. The former Los Angeles Chargers corner is just 25 years old, but he is coming off shoulder and neck injuries that limited him to just four games played last year. He will be undergoing a medical re-check at the end of this month. ... and that's the reason he is choosing to wait. Advertisement With second-round draft pedigree, Samuel probably still thinks he can get paid. If he's right, that lessens the chances at The Star. Rasul Douglas The Bills ex plays a physical style at corner and he makes plays; he had five interceptions and a pick-six touchdown in 2023. He will turn 30 next month, but even with that, we keep asking ourselves why the Bills aren't trying to bring him back. Mike Hilton The veteran Hilton likes to tackle and can play in the slot and in his eight seasons has been an all-over-the-field weapon with 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups. At 31, we wonder if Hilton is the guy in this group sitting in a power position ... maybe wanting to wait for the right contending team at the right time for him. Advertisement That doesn't make him a perfect match in Dallas, and maybe there is no such thing at all, with the Cowboys hoping they don't have to "break the glass'' to win at cornerback. Related: Cowboys Trade Of Micah Parsons To Patriots Rumor Gets NFL Insiders Traction Related: Cowboys Insiders Agree On Camp's No. 1 'Surprise Starter' Get more Cowboys from the Fish Report here! This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
