PFF ranks Cowboys as second-worst secondary heading into 2021

Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 secondaries in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season. The Dallas Cowboys secondary ranks a disappointing 31 out of 32, despite new additions and a defensive coordinator change.

After last season saw the Cowboys defense rank 28th in points allowed and 23rd in total yards, Dallas fired defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and brought in former Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn.

Quinn brought in some familiar faces, signing former Falcons’ Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal. Kazee is expected to slide in as the starter at strong safety, while Neal will change positions to play linebacker.

Opposite Kazee in the defensive backfield will be third-year free safety Donovan Wilson from Texas A&M. Last season, Wilson had 71 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

As PFF’s Anthony Treash wrote, for the secondary to have success, Kazee will have to return to his 2018 form, which saw him combine for nine total interceptions and pass deflections.

At cornerback, 2020 second-round pick Trevon Diggs played in 12 games last season but didn’t blow anyone away with his rookie year performance

“Diggs did improve as last season progressed,” wrote PFF’s Treash. “But his 651 receiving yards allowed ranked 21st-most among all cornerbacks despite him playing just 12 games.”

Outside of Diggs, the Cowboys secondary returns Anthony Brown, who finished with the ninth percentile coverage grade in 2020. Dallas added cornerbacks Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright in the draft as well. Joseph was drafted in the second round out of Kentucky, where he spent two seasons after transferring in from LSU. Joseph led the SEC in interceptions in 2020.

Joseph has earned some praise through training camp per the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken.

Cowboys nickel CB Jourdan Lewis returned to practice, having missed bulk of camp. Maurice Canady impressive in absence. CB Kelvin Joseph also saw full workload today. Still on second team but gradually pushing Anthony Brown. Rookie further along than team expected at this stage.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 31, 2021

Wright was drafted in the third round out of Oregon State. In his career with the Beavers, Wright had 64 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, 11 pass deflections and one forced fumble.

Also competing for snaps are nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who’s entering his fifth year out of Michigan, and the newest addition to the secondary, former Ohio State safety Malik Hooker.