While the Dallas Cowboys have added 10 new players to the roster since the start of free agency, they also lost several key contributors, a list that includes nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed a three-year, $30 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In an attempt to make up for the loss of Lewis, Jerry Jones struck a deal with the Buffalo Bills to acquire Kaair Elam, who never lived up to his status as a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in 2022.
And how effective will that move really be? For one, while Elam says he can play nickel, he’s always been more of a perimeter player and is expected to compete with Caelen Carson for a spot in the starting lineup if Trevon Diggs isn’t ready to go at the start of the 2025 season.
And secondly, it’s not as if Elam is an elite defender, especially in coverage, as he’s never earned a PFF grade in that particular category higher than 66.0. And that was in his rookie season, which is also the last year he recorded an interception. So, there’s that.
Currently, the starting nickel corner on the Cowboys’ depth chart is Kemon Hall, who didn’t take a single defensive snap for Dallas a season ago, with all of his playing time coming on special teams. So, that’s no good, either.
There is an option out there, however, but Jones may have to pony up a little more dough than he’d like to bring him in.
Mike Hilton could be the perfect option for the Cowboys at the nickel slot
With the Cincinnati Bengals spending all sorts of money to keep their offense intact, veteran corner Mike Hilton was shown the door and has yet to find a new home.
And that’s a bit surprising, as the eight-year veteran earned a 75.9 overall PFF grade in 2024, which ranked 23rd among all cornerbacks, and a 91.5 grade against the run, which ranked first.
Hilton is a little weak in the pass-rush department, but the Cowboys wouldn’t need him for that anyway. Like Lewis, he excels in the slot and would seemingly easily slide into the starting lineup on Day 1.
The 31-year-old isn’t the ballhawk Lewis is, but he still has 13 career interceptions to his name to go along with 520 tackles, 66 tackles for a loss, 56 passes defended, and 11.5 sacks.
The issue for Jerry Jones, of course, would be money. Spotrac currently lists Hilton’s market value at $12.3 million per season, which Jones likely won’t want to pay, especially with Lewis making less money with the Jags.
But if Jones want to put some of that remaining salary cap space to use to actually improve this team, he’d be wise to at least consider making this move.
