Cowboys Cornerback Depth: Kelvin Joseph Safe as Jobs In Danger?

What a difference an offseason makes, as if you rewind toward the end of the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys were scrambling for bodies to add to their cornerback room after a pair of injuries to starters Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown.

Now, Anthony Brown remains a free agent, recovering from his torn Achilles, while Lewis is one of the cornerbacks being looked at by some as a cut candidate. (CowboysSI.com is first to write that Dallas’ plan is to move him to PUP.)

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And up-to-date? Brown's place on the depth chart as the No. 2 cornerback opposite Trevon Diggs was filled by the trade with the Indianapolis Colts, which netted veteran Stephon Gilmore. Barring a sudden drop-off from Gilmore, it seems the Cowboys upgraded at the position.

Lewis' lisfranc injury that knocked him out after just six games could see him supplanted as the slot corner by DaRon Bland, who broke onto the scene playing as the nickel in the Cowboys' defense last year … getting time in part due to the struggles of fellow youngster Kelvin Joseph.

Bland recorded five interceptions and seven passes defended while starting in six of his 17 appearances as a rookie. His solid play last season now sees him as the favorite to take over the full-time duties in the slot.

Does this add up to leaving the 27-year-old Lewis to fight it out with Joesph for a spot on the Cowboys roster. Maybe not; Dallas would prefer to stick with Joseph, as established by this spring’s experimentation of him at various spots in the secondary.

Joseph, the former second-round pick, hasn't met expectations since moving to Frisco from Kentucky.

The ex-Wildcat struggled as the No. 2 corner for Dallas last season to the point where he was eventually benched. … Not to mention he had off-the-field issues after admitting to being a passenger in a car that opened fire outside of a nightclub, a tragedy that resulted in the death of Cameron Roy, 20.

Despite that cloud, head coach Mike McCarthy recently stated that this off-season has seen the "best stretch" of ball from Joseph.

“I think this is the best stretch for Kelvin that he’s had since he’s been here,” McCarthy said.

Maybe … This new-found form is reportedly from a position change for Joseph - albeit temporary - he was seen taking reps as the nickel for the Cowboys.

“You can see his heightened awareness,” McCarthy added. “I think where he’s at in his development- there’s nothing that he can’t do physically - but now, having an understanding of going in and playing nickel, what’s clear to me is he’s better outside. He’s seeing how it fits together, it helps with the instincts and the concept understanding.”

Being able to play outside and in is a valuable trait for Joseph. But there is a logjam in the secondary … and whoever wins the spots at cornerback will have earned it.

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