Cowboys Perfect CB Fit Turns Heads With Explosive 40 Time at Pro Day

D’Angelo Ponds was recently named a perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys and could be moving up draft boards after his Pro Day.

Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds speaks at the podium during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys made several additions to their secondary this offseason.

After fielding an atrocious pass defense in 2025, they’ve attempted to correct the situation by signing Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke at safety as well as Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick at cornerback. While those moves will help, the Cowboys can still use more depth, especially at cornerback.

That’s why they should have been playing close attention to D’Angelo Ponds as he put on a show during his Pro Day. Ponds especially turned heads with a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash.

.@DangeloPondss was flying 🏎️ @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/yYu5GywtfB

— NFL (@NFL) April 1, 2026

Ponds doesn’t have elite size at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, but he’s a highly competitive cornerback capable of playing on the boundary as well as in the slot. Although his size might limit him to the slot, which is exactly what Dallas needs.

D’Angelo Ponds named ideal fit for Dallas Cowboys

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News recently touched on Ponds and how he fits in defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme. Hoyt said some teams will be concerned with Ponds’ size, but that Parker will like his nose for the ball and ability to create turnovers.

"Consider Indiana corner D’Angelo Ponds as an example. Ponds is 5-9. His arms are sub-30 inches. That might be concerning at first glance, unless a draft evaluator also saw that he had the highest vertical jump at the NFL Combine and was only second among all prospects to Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (Denton Guyer)," Hoyt wrote.

"Ponds also had the production in college, totaling 33 pass breakups and seven interceptions in three seasons at James Madison and Indiana."

After an impressive season with James Madison, Ponds proved he can play against elite competition during his final two years with the Hoosiers. He was an integral piece of their championship run, helping Indiana win its first ever National Championship.

Cowboys expected to select a CB early in 2026 NFL draft

While Ponds would be an ideal fit in Dallas, the franchise could have other plans. Instead of waiting to fill the position with Ponds during Day 2, the Cowboys are likely to take a cornerback at pick No. 12 or No. 20.

That means the most realistic path for Ponds to join the Cowboys would be a scenario where they trade back.

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