Cowboys Country

Is Cowboys Secondary ‘Elite’? How PFF Ranks Dallas DBs

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL, according to a new countdown.

Tim Kelly

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As the Dallas Cowboys attempt to unseat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, they'll be tasked with trying to stop A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, one of the best receiver duos in the NFL. A new countdown suggests Dallas is about as well-equipped as you can be, as they look to win a division that also includes receiver Terry McLaurin in Washington and tight end Darren Waller in New York. 

Pro Football Focus recently unveiled their 2023 secondary rankings, with the defensive backfield in Dallas coming in at No. 6: 

"An underrated unit adds one of the best corners from 2022 in Stephon Gilmore, who earned an 81.1 coverage grade. Trevon Diggs is the epitome of “boom or bust,” but his playmaking ability fits well with a unit that plays well together." 

This ranking from PFF shouldn't be especially surprising given that both Gilmore and Diggs recently appeared in the top 10 of their countdown of the NFL's best cornerbacks ahead of the 2023 season. Gilmore and Diggs headline a secondary that also includes safeties Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson. 

It will be interesting to see whether the Cowboys are able to keep this cornerback duo together for more than one season. Both Gilmore and Diggs can become free agents after the 2022 season. Jerry and Stephen Jones will have some difficult decisions to make next offseason, given that in addition to both starting cornerbacks, running back Tony Pollard and left tackle Tyron Smith can become free agents after the 2023 season. Dallas also isn't far off from having to address the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and right guard Zack Martin. 

And even with as good as Dallas' secondary looks entering the 2023 season, they still came in second among NFC East teams in PFF's rankings, with Darius Slay and the Eagles finishing at No. 3. 

You can follow Tim Kelly @TimKellySports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Tim Kelly
TIM KELLY

Tim Kelly is a contributor to SI's NFL team sites. Additionally, Kelly covers the Philadelphia Phillies as the Editorial Director for PhilliesNation.com. Previously, Kelly has been a producer at SportsRadio 94 WIP and a content producer for Audacy Sports, with written content syndicated to WIP, WFAN, WEEI and some of the biggest sports radio stations in the country. Kelly also has contributed to Bleacher Report, Just Baseball, Sports Talk Philly and Section 215, FanSided's Philadelphia affiliate. Kelly is a 2018 graduate of Bloomsburg University, with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in political science. 

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