The Dallas Cowboys are performing well at all levels, and overall roster decisions have been largely in the Cowboys’ favor.
However, the team could have kept Chidobe Awuzie. The Cincinnati Bengals signed the cornerback for a three-year contract worth $21.75million. He’s been successful in eight starts.
Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys’ budding star, is at one corner. Anthony Brown has been solid from the opposite side. However, it might be problematic to let go of a high-quality starter in a position of premium where there aren’t enough good players.
Dallas could have won Awuzie’s loyalty by structuring his current contract differently. The Cowboys have some financial flexibility ( $4.6million). It’s a luxury that most teams don’t have three reliable outside corners.
Awuzie was drafted by the Cowboys from Colorado in 2017. He has been in 49 games over the past four years and had four interceptions as well as 213 tackles. He missed eight games in 2018 and only one of his 16 games in his entire career.
Awuzie played in all 16 games that year. He had one interception and 14 passes defended. In 2019, he had a PFF grade 72.2. According to PFF, his best year was his rookie season, which he earned a 78.4 Grade. He had a 51.9 grade in 2020, which was his worst year.
Awuzie was able to leave the Cowboys due to Trevon Diggs (2020 second-round cornerback), who is blossoming into an NFL star in his second season. PFF’s No. Diggs is ranked as the No. 104 CB and leads the league with eight interceptions. Two of these were returned for touchdowns.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta’s quarterback, threw the ball to Diggs during the 43-3 win at AT&T Stadium last Sunday. After allowing TD receptions in two previous games, Diggs made a comeback and threw the ball to Ryan.