3 Dallas Cowboys players who could flip major needs into unexpected strengths in 2026
These second-year players could make a major difference for the 2026 Dallas Cowboys regardless of what they do in free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys have a long list of roster needs that need to be addressed in free agency and the NFL Draft. And while I expect them to be more active than usual in March before capitalizing on two first-round picks in April, they’ll need young players to step up.
This year, the Cowboys have no second-round pick nor a third-round draft pick. Combine that with a couple of questionable draft classes in recent years (few players from the 2022 and 2023 class have become impact starters), and things start to get complicated.
But looking at the team’s needs, there are three second-year players who were picked in last year’s Draft who could flip needs into unexpected strengths in 2026. The thinking here is Dallas can’t afford to bet on them exclusively, only to find out in training camp the young guys aren’t taking a second-year jump.
They need to do something about each position. But maybe, just maybe, a breakout season for them changes everything, taking need to strength in the blink of an eye. Let’s look at each player and their potential upside.
CB Shavon Revel Jr.
Here’s what we saw from Revel Jr. as a rookie: Flashes of sticky coverage but inconsistent tackling and some busts here and there. But to be fair, he missed the offseason program as he rehabbed from a torn ACL.
A full offseason should change that. Additionally, new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker has a strong resume developing cornerbacks, and he admitted he liked Revel Jr. coming out of college when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles.
If Revel Jr. brings starting-caliber play, the Cowboys have one less thing to worry about at cornerback. If healthy, DaRon Bland w0uld give Dallas two starting outside cornerbacks, with only nickel left to be addressed at the position. Easier said than done, but Revel Jr. is one of the most important players on the team because of what he could represent.
RB Jaydon Blue
There’s no way Blue turns into RB1 for the Cowboys in 2026. As a fifth-round rookie, Blue struggled to be active last year. But assuming Dallas re-signs Javonte Williams or finds another solid starter, Blue playing like he did in Week 18 against the New York Giants could make the Cowboys offense much more dangerous.
His speed and elusiveness in open space can’t be ignored, and it’s the change of pace that could prove devastating for opposing defenses. But Blue has a long way to go. The first step is to earn the coaches’ trust, which he didn’t do in 2025, playing in only five games in a fully healthy season.
LB Shemar James
James showed he moves fast and hits hard in the football field. The challenge? He needs to slow the game down and avoid making mistakes. With one season of playing 49% of the defensive snaps, James learned more than expected as a fifth-round rookie. A good offseason could be all he needs to become an impact starter because the high-end athleticism is there.
A potential challenge is Parker’s new scheme being one that needs plenty of communication on the field. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the new DC prefers a veteran presence at the position. But James showed some special traits last year.
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