While linebacker and edge rusher are the needs getting the most attention for the Dallas Cowboys leading into the 2026 NFL Draft, they’re being very clear about their intentions to address the cornerback position.

Ahead of April 23, the Cowboys are meeting with multiple first-round cornerback prospects. But none may matter more than Avieon Terrell from Clemson, who officially became one of the team’s Top 30 visits on Wednesday.

Terrell visits Cowboys

Terrell met with the Cowboys on Wednesday, according to draft insider Ryan Fowler.

During the visit, he met with new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley, among other defensive coaches.

This had to be one of their most important pre-draft visits as it was an opportunity to gather intel on a hamstring injury that kept Terrell from finishing workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.

He also missed Clemson’s Pro Day and then aggravated the injury at a private Pro Day.

Clemson CB could be the fix to Cowboys problem

The reason why Terrell is a prime first-round candidate for the Cowboys is simple: Though undersized, he has position flexibility and is one of the best options to add a nickel corner in the draft.

The Cowboys have discussed nickel as one of their top needs. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated the Cowboys wanted a nickel to make sure they can keep DaRon Bland on the outside, where they believe he can still be a force.

“At the end of the day, we’d love to have a guy that would allow us to keep DaRon outside,” Schottenheimer said. “We feel like DaRon can shut down a side of the field. We’d rather keep him outside than move him inside.”

Terrell projects as a slot corner

For more on Terrell, I reached out to our own Rob Gregson, who covers the NFL Draft for us at A to Z Sports. He describes the Clemson corner as someone who can cover while providing run support.

“Avieon Terrell is one of the more fascinating studies in the 2026 NFL Draft’s crop of defensive backs,” Gregson says. “The younger brother of Falcons star A.J. Terrell, Avieon brings the competitive stamina that his brother has, but in a slightly smaller package. Many in and around the league view him as a slot corner due to his size, buttery transitions, and willingness to be a plus one in run support.”

“He’s played to both the boundary and at apex during his collegiate career and I think you can matchup hunt with him at all three WR positions,” he adds. “Pick No. 12 is a little rich for my blood when it comes to a slot corner, but 20th is a prime position for a player of his caliber and with a team need at that spot.”

I could see Terrell being a top option for the Cowboys at 20th overall, and even a candidate in a wiped-out scenario earlier in the first round. He addresses one of the team’s self-admitted needs and is a heck of a player.

Terrell joins Mansoor Delane (LSU), Chris Johnson (San Diego State), and Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) as first-round-caliber cornerback prospects that have met with the Cowboys pre-draft.