The Dallas Cowboys face a critical situation in their cornerback lineup as they approach the 2025 NFL Draft. With only All-Pro DaRon Bland secured as a reliable starter and Jourdan Lewis departing via free agency, the need for additional talent is apparent. Trevon Diggs is still recovering from offseason surgery, leaving the nickel corner position unfilled, which raises concerns about the team's overall defensive capability.

To address this imminent need, the Cowboys have traded for Kaiir Elam from Buffalo, who hasn't lived up to his first-round pick potential and is looking for revitalization in Dallas. Despite attempts to bolster the roster through free agency, the cornerback depth remains alarmingly shallow. The Cowboys must prioritize acquiring a veteran cornerback to avoid compromising their chances in the upcoming draft, where they face competing needs at receiver and defensive tackle. With several viable free-agent options still available, including Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin, signing a proven player could transition the Cowboys back into a value-driven draft strategy.

The Dallas Cowboys have made significant roster moves during the 2025 offseason, re-signing 10 players, adding eight free agents, and trading for two former first-round picks. However, after an initial flurry of activity, the team has not made any moves in the last six days, raising questions about their next steps. The Cowboys still have important positions to address and player extensions to complete, especially for key players like Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, and Tyler Smith.

One of the top priorities is to extend Parsons, the Cowboys' standout edge rusher, whose contract negotiations have yet to yield a deal. Additionally, the team needs to bolster their receiving corps, as current second receiver Jalen Tolbert lacks the caliber necessary to complement All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. Potential veteran options include well-regarded names like Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen.

Furthermore, the Cowboys must address their thin cornerback position, particularly in light of Trevon Diggs’s injury issues. With only two starting-caliber players, adding a reliable veteran cornerback is crucial. The front office must act quickly, as time is of the essence to maximize their remaining cap space and solidify the roster ahead of the next season.

The Dallas Cowboys have kicked off a strategic move by trading for cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills. Elam, who was a first-round pick in 2022, struggled to find his footing in Buffalo, but could flourish in Dallas. The deal involves sending a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-rounder to the Bills in exchange for Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick. This addition aims to bolster the Cowboys' secondary, which currently has limited depth.

Elam's college pedigree as a four-star recruit and his family legacy in the NFL offer optimism for his potential upside. With DaRon Bland the only healthy starter currently, the Cowboys are banking on Elam's talent to solidify their defense.

Matt Eberflus returns to Dallas as the new defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, stepping into the role after a challenging stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Eberflus aims to revamp the Cowboys' defense by leveraging standout talents like Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and DaRon Bland. He emphasizes aggressive play designed to generate turnovers while addressing the team's deficiencies against the run, echoing past successes under former coordinator Rod Marinelli.

Eberflus' strategy revolves around maximizing Parsons' unique abilities, aiming to utilize him predominantly as a pass rusher. Meanwhile, he expresses excitement about working with the All-Pro cornerback duo of Diggs and Bland, despite Diggs' recovery from knee surgery. Eberflus' commitment to restoring the defense's former glory highlights the Cowboys’ ambitious goals for the upcoming season.

The Dallas Cowboys are set to pick 12th overall in the upcoming NFL Draft, a position that reveals both potential opportunity and past shortcomings. Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay acknowledges that while the 12th pick offers a chance at a top-10 prospect, it is a reflection of a disappointing 7-10 season. The Cowboys face significant roster gaps, particularly in the running back and interior defensive line positions, with key players like Rico Dowdle and Osa Odighizuwa entering free agency. McClay notes there’s a deeper pool of talent available in this draft class for those positions compared to the previous year’s draft.

Concerns are also mounting at cornerback, where DaRon Bland is the only healthy returning starter, while Trevon Diggs recovers from knee surgery. The potential loss of slot corner Jourdan Lewis to free agency adds to the urgency for drafting in this area. Team owner Jerry Jones emphasizes the importance of drafting based on value rather than positional need, recalling past instances where the Cowboys missed opportunities despite clear needs. With the recent hire of coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has familiarity with the organization, the Cowboys hope to streamline their draft process, integrating coaching and scouting more effectively.