The Cowboys drafted seven new players a few weeks ago, and they’ll all go into training camp with varying chances of making the 2026 roster. One with a great shot is former Florida cornerback Devin Moore. The first rookie in our rundown series, Moore joins Dallas’ CB room at a time of significant change and great opportunity.
Background
Years in NFL: 0
Acquired by: 2026 4th-round pick
Moore has the profile of a classic Cowboys pick: prototypical measurables and high perceived upside, but with limited college
production due to injuries. At 6’3” and around 200 lbs., Moore has the size and press man skills to bully receivers and attack the ball. He was generally seen as a mid-round prospect in the Class of 2026, and that’s exactly where Dallas got him as a fourth-round selection.
The red flag on Moore is that he only started 17 games in four seasons with the Gators, mostly due to injuries from 2022-2024. But the good news is that he ended his college career on an upward swing, staying healthy all year and putting in his best work in Gainesville. Moore improved his draft stock when it mattered most, and hopefully that’s a sign for how he’ll handle pressure situations in the pros.
Contract Status
Years Left: 4
2026 Cap Hit: $1.18 million
It still catches us off guard seeing a fourth-round rookie already counting over a million against the cap, but that’s where we are in 2026. It’s still a very modest hit for a backup corner, and Moore should at least fill that role this year. In the worst-case scenario where he doesn’t even make the roster, Dallas would be able to cut him him for essentially a net-zero transaction against the cap thanks to limited guaranteed money.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup CB
Roster Chance: 95%
That said, it is extremely rare for a fourth-rounder to not make the team in his first season. Going back through past Cowboys draft classes, the last time that happened outside of an injury was with WR Skyler Green in 2006. Even some of Dallas’ recent busts in that round like Viliami Fehoko, Josh Ball, Reggie Robinson, and Charles Tapper at least hung around for part of their rookie season, if not longer.
Moore is one of many new faces in the CB room, which does create some intrigue about how he’ll fit among more experienced players. DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel are expected to have the big roles, and veterans Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick were added in free agency. There are also returning prospects like Caelen Carson, Josh Butler, Reddy Steward, and Trikweze Bridges to consider. And if all of them weren’t enough competition, safeties Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke are all capable of playing slot corner.
Working in Moore’s favor is being the first cornerback drafted by Christian Parker, Dallas’ new defensive coordinator. While meritocracy matters, he’s going to be much more invested in Parker’s success than holdovers from past regimes. That’s more of a tiebreaker than anything, but it’s a plus for Moore’s roster chances.
Given his pre-draft scouting report, Moore is not a guy you take unless you’re committed to letting him develop. He needs the reps and time that he missed in college, so Dallas didn’t make him a fourth-round pick without that in their plans. Barring an absolutely shocker, Moore should at least be on the 53. Hopefully, he does enough that he’s actually active and contributing on gamedays.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
C Cooper Beebe
G Tyler Booker
S Alijah Clark
TE Jake Ferguson
LB Shemar James
G Trevor Keegan
FB Hunter Luepke
RB Phil Mafah
WR Jonathan Mingo
LS Trent Sieg
EDGE Tyrus Wheat
EDGE Sam Williams
