(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
Would you rather see the Cowboys add a cornerback or running back before the start of the season? – Brandon Grimes/Pampa, TX
Nick: Well, it's just between those two, I think it'd have to be a cornerback. While I think there are question marks at both spots, there are different types of questions. At running back, it really just comes down to who is a better fit? Do they want more of a punishing style with Javonte Williams or more of a pass-catcher in Miles Sanders. Or can they live with the youth of Jaydon Blue, knowing he's the fastest one on the field? There are questions at running back, but really it's more about the best fit.
The questions at cornerback are a little different. Most importantly - who's healthy? When will Trevon Diggs make it back to the field? Can they wait on him or do they need to add more experience now? And what about Shavon Revel and his injury? THere's a chance he could be ready before the first four games, meaning he wouldn't start the regular season on PUP.
Both DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam still have something to prove - probably both in a contract year. And then there's the job of replacing Jourdan Lewis in the slot. Lots of question marks and so if there's another player to be added, I would think it'd be cornerback at this point.
Kurt: Give me the cornerback, please. Yes, there are question marks about running back but remember that just last year an undrafted player topped 1,000 rushing yards for the Cowboys despite having never rushed for more than 400 yards before, being without his Pro Bowl quarterback, dealing with a shaky offensive line and even being mistakenly used in a running-back-by-committee approach early on in the season. Even with those obstacles, Rico Dowdle still managed to tie for 12th in the NFL with a career-high 1,079 yards.
The point is, I think if Dak Prescott is healthy and the offensive line improves, which it should, the Cowboys' running attack can find success. And they've got some options with a healthy dose of veterans and exciting rookies as well as a mix of speed and size. Hopefully, someone from that group will step up.
On the other hand, at cornerback there are more unknowns. DaRon Bland is a given, but who joins him remains to be seen. Can Trevon Diggs return from his second knee injury in as many years? How about others coming back from injury such as rookie Shavon Revel, Caelen Carson and Josh Butler? Will Kaiir Elam grab hold of the opportunity he now has? And who is going to take the reins covering the slot?
Although there's definitely talent, going into a season with so many question marks, especially in such a passing league, is a bit worrisome. So while I'm sure the Cowboys brass isn't ruling out the possibility of adding a veteran running back, keeping their eyes on the cornerback market seemingly makes more sense.
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