Undrafted rookies aren’t supposed to be Week 1 starters but this Dallas Cowboys player has a realistic shot at doing it
This Cowboys rookie could be a hidden gem.
When it comes to underdogs, you can’t get a better example in the NFL world than undrafted rookies. They’re at a large disadvantage to make the 53-man roster over veterans and drafted rookies, starting from a financial point of view. But the Dallas Cowboys have one that has a realistic shot at starting on defense in Week 1.
That would be one of the biggest standouts from the Cowboys’ preseason opener, cornerback Zion Childress, out of Kentucky.
Childress finished the preseason opener as the second-best graded defender via PFF and for good reason. He was sticky in coverage, being targeted twice all game long and allowing just one catch. The rookie worked primarily from the slot. The play below is a great example of how difficult he was to shake off when defending the pass, in which he doesn’t lose a step throughout an extended scramble drill:
Childress also had good moments as a run defender, earning two stops. Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus stated how important that was for Zion and those competing for the nickel role ahead of the regular season. The coach mentioned Childress as one of three players competing at the position.
“Kemon (Hall) and Zion (Childress) have done a nice job in there,” Eberflus told reporters Monday. “They’re learning that position, which is an important one for us. We’ve had some good players in the past, and those guys are working hard to get there. We’ve also had (DaRon Bland) in there, so it’s big-time competition. We’ll keep evaluating them. You have to be quick when you play there, but also stout, because you’re asked to cover a lot of inner gaps [in the run game] — B gap, A gap, C gap — in the run game. It’s important that they’re strong in tackling but also quick enough to cover in that seam-flat area.”
Though Eberflus didn’t offer insight into who’s winning the competition, the undrafted rookie being up there speaks volumes about his work. The Cowboys are dealing with multiple injuries at cornerback, including Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel, and Caelen Carson. It remains to be seen if any of them will be ready for Week 1.
Assuming Diggs isn’t, one of the biggest decisions Eberflus’ staff needs to make is where to play Bland. If they wish to leave Bland outside opposite of Kaiir Elam, if would comes down to Hall and Childress. In that scenario, I give the edge to the undrafted rookie, who has also gotten first-team reps at training camp. Hall struggled on Saturday as he consistently allowed receivers to get open.
For now, though, Childress has only aced the first quiz of the year. There are many more tests to pass — along with some outside circumstances to fall his way — before he’s named a starter. But he has a shot.
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