3 free-agent options to replace Cowboys 10-INT, 10-sack DB who walked for $30 million
The Dallas Cowboys lost a significant piece of their defense when slot corner Jourdan Lewis signed with the Jaguars earlier in the week. He didn't receive the attention that stars like Micah Parsons or Trevon Diggs did, but he was an versatile piece on the field, with 10 career interceptions and 9.5 sacks, as well as in the Cowboys' locker room. Those are primary reasons he earned a three-year, $30 million deal with Jacksonville.
The team doesn't have many options to replace him on the roster, either. Daron Bland could slide into the slot, but he is an All-Pro playing on the outside, and the Cowboys don't have great options to replace him on the boundary. Israel Mukuamu was re-signed to a one-year deal, but hasn't been a consistent player. The Cowboys need to bring in a veteran to play the inside corner spot so they aren't forced to draft someone and hope he can contribute as a rookie.
Here's a look at three players still on the market who Matt Eberflus could try to bring in; all different types of players depending on what he wants from that position.
CB Kendall Fuller
Kendall Fuller is a nine-year veteran who will only be 30 years old at the start of the season and has played over 2,400 snaps in the slot and more than 4,100 on the outside. He is 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, and has 31.5-inch arms, so he has a bigger body than Lewis did and fits what the Cowboys have always wanted from their defensive backs.
Fuller is solid in coverage as well as versus the run. He has had a run defense grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) between 73 and 83 in the last four seasons, and his coverage grade went down 20 points in his one season in Miami, but in 2023 it was over 82. Fuller is a capable corner who can play all over the field but would be the primary replacement in the slot.
CB Mike Hilton
Mike Hilton would need to be a signing that Eberflus requested because he doesn't fit what the Dallas front office likes from their corners. He is only 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds and has shorter arms, but if Eberflus could get him in the building, he would be a difference-maker in the run game.
In the new defensive scheme, corners have to play the run, and Hilton might be the best in the league against the run at cornerback. Last season, he had a PFF run defense grade of 91.7, was 15th amongst corners in tackles with 63, and was top three in run stops with 38. He had 157 tackles, including 24 for a loss in the last two years. Hilton played over 4,000 snaps in the slot and isn't a liability in coverage, with a coverage grade of over 80 in 2023 and nearly 70 last season. He also showed up against the teams in the Cowboys division with PFF grades of 76.7 against the Philidelphia Eagles, 75.6 against the Washington Commanders, and 80.7 against the New York Giants.
CB Artie Burns
Artie Burns fits the criteria Dallas has tried to sign this offseason. He is a former first-round pick under 30. He meets the criteria for defensive backs in Dallas as well. He is over six-feet tall, weighs almost 200 pounds, and has arms over 33 inches. He is still on the market because he can't seem to stay healthy.
He has only played in 21 games over the last three seasons but plays well when he is on the field. In 2023, he had a PFF grade over 65 in all major categories and allowed only 159 yards and no touchdowns. Last season, he was playing his best ball before getting injured again. He had an overall PFF grade of 88.6 and an 89.6 coverage grade. He played almost exclusively in the slot the last two years, so he can do it even at his larger size. Dallas has already signed Payton Turner, who has been injured for most of his first five years. Burns could be a second option to that strategy.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Free agency options for Dallas Cowboys to replace corner Jourdan Lewis
-
Options for the Detroit Lions to replace G Kevin Zeitler
The Lions have several different options to replace RG Kevin Zeitler for 2025, from in-house to the draft and other specific free agentsYahoo Sports - 3d -
Bills trade CB Kaiir Elam to the Cowboys
The Cowboys needed cornerback help with slot corner Jourdan Lewis signing with the Jaguars and outside corner Trevon Diggs' 2025 season in doubt after left knee surgery Jan. 23.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Longtime Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis signs with AFC team on three-year, $30 million deal, per report
Dallas drafted Lewis in the third round of the 2017 NFL DraftCBS Sports - 6d -
Cowboys News Headlines: Will new signings mean wins? Jourdan Lewis speaks out on leaving
Are the Cowboys' FA signings helping improve the team? Jourdan Lewis shares a hard truth about the business side; the team has lost leadership.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Start the Steal: Cowboys reunite with $68 million edge who had 10 sacks for DC in 2024
Dallas signs Commanders edge Dante Fowler to $8 million deal.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
5 free agents who could still earn Cowboys compensatory picks
After one week of free agency, the Cowboys still have several unsigned players who could land qualifying offers.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Free Agency: Cowboys bringing back versatile DB, key special teams player on 1-year deal
Mukuamu was a special teams mainstay in '24 and tied for the team lead in picks. Now with Jourdan Lewis gone, the safety is capable of jumping to CB.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
ESPN's Schefter: Cowboys dark horse for $93 million All-Pro WR late to free agent market
The Dallas Cowboys have reached out to several free agents without sealing the deal. Could they land the former Rams wideout?Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Sources: Lions to sign CB Reed to replace Davis
The Detroit Lions have agreed to a three-year, $48 million contract with free agent cornerback D.J. Reed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.ESPN - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Georgia football freshman WR suffers ankle injury, needs surgery
Georgia true freshman WR Tyler Williams suffered torn ligaments in his ankle, likely taking him out for the rest of Georgia's spring practices.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Sixers vs. Rockets game preview: How to watch, lineups, broadcast info
The Philadelphia 76ers continue the road trip on Monday as they take on the Houston Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Derek Carr and Saints relationship may be deteriorating amid latest report
Derek Carr reportedly wanting to test free agency is a sign of a deteriorating relationship between him and the Saints.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
“I’ll tell you” – Pep Guardiola reveals what Manchester City would make of Europa League football for 2025/26 term
Manchester City would hold a feeling of ‘disappointment’ if they only managed to secure UEFA Europa League football next season, Pep Guardiola has admitted.The reigning English champions are facin...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Calipari's message to freshmen in NCAA Tournament: 'Stay in the moment'
The Arkansas Razorbacks had to wait until almost the end of the Selection Show to hear their names called, but they're going to the NCAA Tournament as a 10-seed and will play 7-seed Kansas in the ...Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
MLB's villains or its gold standard? How the Los Angeles Dodgers got here
Love them or loathe them, the defending champs built a new evil empire with a series of monumental moves.ESPN - 13m -
Georgia football freshman WR suffers ankle injury, needs surgery
Georgia true freshman WR Tyler Williams suffered torn ligaments in his ankle, likely taking him out for the rest of Georgia's spring practices.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Sixers vs. Rockets game preview: How to watch, lineups, broadcast info
The Philadelphia 76ers continue the road trip on Monday as they take on the Houston Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Derek Carr and Saints relationship may be deteriorating amid latest report
Derek Carr reportedly wanting to test free agency is a sign of a deteriorating relationship between him and the Saints.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Calipari's message to freshmen in NCAA Tournament: 'Stay in the moment'
The Arkansas Razorbacks had to wait until almost the end of the Selection Show to hear their names called, but they're going to the NCAA Tournament as a 10-seed and will play 7-seed Kansas in the ...Yahoo Sports - 16m