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Dallas Cowboys: 5 Players on the roster bubble after 2019 NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Defensive end Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys walks onto the field ahead of the NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Defensive end Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys walks onto the field ahead of the NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 29: Chidobe Awuzie #24, Kavon Frazier #35 and other Dallas Cowboys celebrate the fourth quarter interception by Jourdan Lewis #27 against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium on November 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 29: Chidobe Awuzie #24, Kavon Frazier #35 and other Dallas Cowboys celebrate the fourth quarter interception by Jourdan Lewis #27 against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium on November 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

2. Jourdan Lewis, CB

A third-round pick in 2017, Jourdan Lewis was a bit of a surprise selection for two reasons. One, the Cowboys had just spent a second-round pick on Chidobe Awuzie. Two, Lewis was expected to be gone before the third round of the draft.

As a rookie, he proved to be a steal considering where he was selected. Lewis started seven gamed and finished with 54 tackles and an interception. He showed solid instincts and an ability to play on the outside. He did get beat for a game-winning touchdown by Davante Adams once, but that was a tough ask for a rookie to defend the Green Bay Packers star receiver.

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With his play as a rookie, expectations were high for Lewis entering 2018. However, he slid down the depth chart as new defensive back coach Kris Richard moved Byron Jones from safety to cornerback. Richard prefers the larger corners on the boundary and the 5-10 Lewis was bumped out due to that.

He also slid behind Anthony Brown, who is better in the slot than Lewis. It was an unfortunate perfect storm that forced him down to fourth on the depth chart and limited him to just 12 tackles on the entire season.

Lewis did have one stand out game though, which was when he was tasked with shadowing running back Alvin Kamara in the Cowboy’s upset win on Thursday Night Football over the New Orleans Saints. Not only did he make several big stops, but Lewis also recorded what proved to be the game-sealing interception — his only of the season.

With Richard returning, after nearly being offered a head coaching job elsewhere, Lewis could again find himself behind the same three corners. Add to that the addition of Michael Jackson, the rookie out of Miami, and Lewis could be in danger of looking for a new home in 2019, which would be a shame because he has the talent to play at a high level.

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