TOP 4: CORNERED TO COVERED

With Jalen Ramsey Rumor Fizzling, Top 4 Summer Free Agent Cornerbacks for the Cowboys.

If the Cowboys are not pursuing a trade for Jalen Ramsey, as my GBAG co-host Bryan Broaddus reported, what should Dallas do to improve their options at cornerback in 2025?

Other than DaRon Bland, they don't have a cornerback we feel starter-level confident about for the upcoming season. Trevon Diggs will be a good player again if he makes a recovery from a second straight major knee injury and subsequent surgery. But we don’t know if that will be in 2025 or if he can be relied on to play well by January 2026. Kaiir Elam is a Hail Mary for him and the team. Shavon Revel is an exciting rookie but also coming off a catastrophic knee injury. And those two may end up being starters in nickel on September 4th.

It’s easy to see why the Cowboys wouldn’t have confirmed interest in Ramsey. His contract no longer sets the market, but it is well beyond the Cowboys’ self-imposed budget for adding players to their payroll. It's clear their sweet spot is in the mid-single-digit millions, and they've done a nice job adding in that range. They need a player better than Elam who makes a third of Ramsey's salary.

So with the Ramsey door appearing closed — at least for now — here are the top 4 realistic free agent cornerbacks still on the market.

(Dallas Morning News)

1. Stephon Gilmore

The former Cowboy visited The Star in April, and our sources indicate there is genuine interest on both sides in a potential reunion. Gilmore was a steady presence for Dallas in 2023 and remains a scheme fit with Dan Quinn gone. He may no longer be elite, but he's reliable, physical, and plays with anticipation.

Projected contract: 1 year, $5–6 million.

2. Asante Samuel Jr.

The 25-year-old former Chargers standout is recovering from neck surgery and recently visited the New Orleans Saints. Known for his durability and consistent tackling, Samuel is expected to draw interest once medically cleared. That said, he may be too expensive for the Cowboys' current model—he’s reportedly seeking a multi-year deal in the $10–12 million per year range.

3. Mike Hilton

At 31, Hilton remains one of the better slot cornerbacks in the NFL, though age-related decline is a consideration. He has always been tough against the run and would free up Bland to stay outside.

Projected contract: 2–3 years, $5–7 million per year.

4. Kendall Fuller

A versatile veteran with strong PFF grades in recent seasons. Fuller can play inside or out and has been linked to Dallas as a possible target. He’s coming off a two-year, $16.5 million deal with Miami but dealt with concussion issues late in 2024.

Projected contract: 1 year, $3–5 million with incentives.