Brian Schottenheimer made a huge reveal about the defense that could impact Cowboys’ draft plans
The Dallas Cowboys are making it very clear how they feel about the cornerback situation ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t done building their 2026 defense, and as such, I’m not sure they even know what their lineup plans are. However, head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed a very important and telling preference the team has at cornerback.
Let’s dive in.
Cowboys want DaRon Bland outside
Speaking at the NFL Owner Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, Schottenheimer discussed the Cowboys’ need at nickel.
That by itself was revealing. The Cowboys recently signed Cobie Durant in free agency, who has experience playing both inside and outside—something Schottenheimer noted. But if they still consider nickel a need, it means it probably isn’t the role they signed Durant for.
But more importantly, Schottenheimer made it very clear that the Cowboys prefer to keep All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland outside.
“At the end of the day, we’d love to have a guy that would allow us to keep DaRon outside,” Schottenheimer told reporters via Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris. “We feel like DaRon can shut down a side of the field. We’d rather keep him outside than move him inside.”
Last year, the Cowboys signed Bland to a four-year contract extension worth $92 million. While it’s not a surprise the team views him as an outside cornerback, the team’s optimism on him, combined with Schottenheimer’s comments about needing a nickel carries significant implications.
Why Schottenheimer’s message matters a lot
Let’s take Schotty’s word at face value for a second and assume the Cowboys think their starting nickel isn’t on the roster as of yet.
That would mean two things: Bland is starting outside, and in all likelihood, that Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. will compete for the other starting role.
The following question would naturally become, if the Cowboys pick a cornerback in the first round in late April, would they target the best one available, even if they’re projected as outside corners? That would include LSU’s Mansoor Delane or Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. Or would they aim for a prospect they view as a potential nickel at the NFL level?
An obvious candidate for the latter is Avieon Terrell, who many project as a nickel due to his being undersized at 5-foot-11 (which ranks in the 26th percentile among NFL cornerbacks). Maybe one of the safeties, like Dillon Thieneman, if the front office views him as a big nickel type.
Speaking of which, Schottenheimer also touched on what they’re looking for at nickel.
“I think (Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker) was the one that said it; you have to be able to cover like a corner, blitz like a safety, and fit the run like a linebacker,” Schottenheimer said.
That will be tough to find. And if the Cowboys don’t feel like they have that guy yet, their best chance to get him will be with either of their two first-round picks.
For now, we know this: The Cowboys don’t want Bland at nickel because they still view him as someone capable of shutting down one side of the field. Expect that to impact their approach.
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