The Dallas Cowboys had the best defensive backfield in the NFC East in 2023. It was arguably one of the best in the NFL.
Want to know what terrifies the Cowboys' divisional rivals?
Dallas' defensive backfield in 2024 is likely to be even better.
And that doesn't even take into account the possibility of the Cowboys bringing back Stephon Gilmore.
If he does come back several wide receivers are in for a bad year.
Trevon Diggs' Return
Right now the biggest question mark hanging over this position group is Trevon Diggs' recovery from last year's knee injury.
It was feared at the time that the loss of Diggs last year would derail the team's season. They overcame the injury – thanks to the emergence of DaRon Bland.
Bland led the league in interceptions with nine. Five of them went for touchdowns – a new single-season NFL record.
The NFL record for career Pick Sixes is 12 by Rod Woodson.
Bland is almost halfway there already.
If Diggs returns to his pre-injury form, lined up opposite Bland, the Cowboys are going to be hard to throw the ball against.
Add Gilmore into the mix and the other teams' tight ends and running backs are going to be busy with check downs.
Jourdan Lewis and Nashon Wright are solid backups. Dallas spent the offseason adding to that mix as well.
The Cowboys drafted Caelen Carson out of Wake Forest in the fifth round in April.
And they just this week signed Gareon Conley – a former first round pick of the Oakland Raiders. Conley hasn't been in the NFL since 2020.
He just finished a stint in the UFL this spring with the DC Defenders. In seven games he had 25 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
While Dallas would be wise to bring back Gilmore, the Conley signing could be an insurance policy against his return not materializing.
But imagine a group of four cornerbacks that includes Diggs, Bland, Gilmore, and Conley.
If you are an opposing offensive play caller, that's a nightmare you'd hate to deal with.
Safety First
For now, Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker are holding down the starting safety spots.
Markquese Bell could move back from linebacker to his normal safety position. Dallas also has Israel Mukuamu and Juanyeh Thomas returning.
Dallas also added Emany Johnson as an undrafted free agent following the draft in April. He could prove to be the biggest surprise on the defensive side in 2024.
Rebuilding Eagles
The Eagles will have two new starters in their defensive backfield this fall.
Strong safety Kevin Byard has moved on to Chicago. His spot will be filled by C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson played for the Lions in 2023 after a one-year stint in Philadelphia.
The Eagles are hoping his return, and pairing him up with Reed Blankenship, will help shore up their backfield.
Philadelphia has a solid cornerback in Darius Slay Jr.
But it appears they are prepared to slot in their first round pick from April at the other corner, Quinyon Mitchell.
If Mitchell slips, the Eagles will have a former starter to turn to in James Bradberry IV. If it comes to that, though, it means the Eagles' rebuild has failed.
Giants Still Searching
Much like the Eagles the New York Giants are remodeling their room when it comes to defensive backs.
The Giants will also likely be starting two new players in the backfield. Cornerback Deonte Banks and safety Jason Pinnock were starters in 2023.
They will return as such in 2024. But they were a part of the Giants' weakest link on defense.
New York is hoping their third round pick in 2022, cornerback Cor'Dale Flott, will pay off.
They also find themselves hoping that this year's second round pick, Tyler Nubin, can get the job done at safety.
The Giants' success this year and in the future will ride on how these two young players perform.
Quinn's Commanders
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Benjamin St-Juste are currently listed as Washington's starting cornerbacks.
Jeremy Chinn and Percy Butler are the starting safeties.
If you're saying: “Who?” right now, don't feel bad. I had to google all four of them too.
The ace up the Commanders' sleeve is their new head coach.
As Cowboys' fan know, Dan Quinn knows how to get the most out of his defensive backs. His history of interior line woes notwithstanding.
So while they aren't household names, it doesn't mean they should be over-looked.
Especially by the Cowboys when they meet twice in the final third of the season.
