The Dallas Cowboys missed out on claiming former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Darrell Luter Jr.
, but they aren't out of options. NFL teams had tough decisions to make to build rosters they believe give them the best chance to succeed. Among those players who were jettisoned are young, talented cornerbacks who can come in and perhaps help the Cowboys build the roster they believe can help them both now and in the future.Clearly, Dallas isn't ready to say they're happy with their cornerback room and is looking to add another body. Here are five cornerbacks who recently became available worth exploring.
Terell Smith
Smith checks the majority of the boxes the Cowboys look for in an outside cornerback. At 6-feet, 204 pounds, with 4.41 speed, he has the size,
length, and athletic ability to match up with bigger receivers while still carrying routes downfield. He also brings experience in both man and zone coverage, something defensive coordinator Christian Parker desires as he builds a more flexible secondary in Dallas.
Smith didn’t play a snap last season after tearing his PCL during the 2025 preseason.
That shouldn’t detour the Cowboys' potential interest in him. With two years of NFL experience, he has 26 games under his belt, starting in six games for the Chicago Bears. In those games, he was productive, accumulating 63 tackles and 7 pass breakups, and ended the 2024 season with PFF grades of 76.5 against the pass and 78.7 against the run.
He is comfortable playing press coverage, shows good recovery speed, and has been a reliable contributor against the run. Parker wants corners who can handle multiple assignments without tipping the defense's intentions. Smith's versatility gives Dallas another option who could compete for snaps immediately against Caelen Carson, while still offering long-term potential.
Decamerion Richardson
Richardson has physical traits rarely seen from cornerbacks. The former Raider is 6-foot-2, 188 pounds, and runs a 4.3 second 40-yard dash, giving him the size and speed teams covet on the outside. His length allows him to challenge receivers at the catch point, while his speed helps him recover when plays break down. Richardson's combination of size, speed, and toughness makes him an intriguing developmental fit in Dallas.
He also plays the game with a level of physicality Parker values. Richardson was one of the most productive tackling cornerbacks in college who's capable of supporting the run. His play against the run matches Parker's belief that successful defenses must first stop the run.
Through two seasons, Richardson proved to be a quality player for the Raiders, playing in 27 games with seven starts. He had 93 total tackles, three passes defended, and one tackle for loss. He also has respectable PFF grades against the pass and run over those two seasons: (66.2) against the pass and (70.6) against the run.
Toriano Pride Jr.
Pride offers the type of athletic profile that defensive coaches love to develop. The former Missouri standout comes in at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds with 4.32 speed and has the movement skills to play in both man and zone concepts. His speed allows him to challenge vertical routes and recover quickly if he falls for double moves or is picked on crossing routes.
His skill set projects well into the coverage flexibility Parker wants from his secondary. Pride can play both man and zone coverage and has experience in schemes requiring corners to react quickly. He is still a little rough around the edges, but his athletic traits would give Dallas a high-upside option they can develop on the practice squad into a valuable depth piece.
Steven Gilmore
Gilmore may not have the size of some of the other candidates, at 5-foot-8, 174 pounds, but Parker hasn't let a cornerback's height stop him. What Gilmore lacks in size, he makes up for it with instincts and awareness. During his time with the Lions, coaches praised his ball skills, football IQ, and ability to recognize developing plays. Those qualities helped him earn a spot on Detroit's initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.
Parker's defense requires cornerbacks who can process information quickly and adapt to different coverages. Gilmore's instincts and competitiveness make him an interesting option for Dallas. He's shown the ability to find the football, stay active in coverage, and contribute on special teams. For a Cowboys team searching for additional secondary depth, Gilmore offers a low-risk option with room to grow.
Elijah Jones
The final player on this list has a direct connection to the Cowboys coaching staff, having played under secondary coach Ryan Smith in Arizona.
Jones brings many of the traits Parker values in his cornerbacks and could have the backing of his former coach. He brings good size at 6-foot1, 185 pounds, along with 4.4 second speed. He's able to combine it with strong ball production, recording seven interceptions and 36 pass breakups during his career at Boston College. His ability to read routes, stay disciplined in coverage, and find the football helped him earn first-team All-ACC honors in 2023.
What makes Jones an intriguing fit in Dallas is his versatility. Praised for his route recognition and zone awareness, Jones used those traits to play both outside corner and in the slot. Parker has repeatedly spoken about building a multiple defense with players who can handle different assignments, and Jones has shown the football IQ and coverage flexibility to do it.
Jones could be one of the most interesting options available not only for his versatility, but also for his connection to a coach who already has a relationship with him similar to the one Klayton Adams had with new Cowboys running back Emari Demercado.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Former Bears 5th rounder among 5 free-agent CBs who could help Cowboys
