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Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant.
The Dallas Cowboys can’t point to anyone on their defense, outside of NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and say “we’re set” headed into 2026.
That’s why so much help is on the way.
The Cowboys received praise for the NFL’s best “Under the Radar” free-agent signing for stealing starting cornerback Cobie Durant away from the Los Angeles Rams on a 1-year, $4 million contract worth up to $5.5 million, but with only $1.5 million in guaranteed money.
“A versatile, playmaking cornerback who mostly fills a need as a slot defender, Durant will not only be an upgrade to the Cowboys’ secondary, but he’ll improve the backend of their defense on a pretty valuable contract,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Eric Williams wrote on Friday. “Dallas signed Durant to a team-friendly deal that includes $1.5 million in guaranteed money. Durant has seven career interceptions, including two returned for four touchdowns in four NFL seasons.”
Cobie Durant Made Leap From HBCU to NFL
Durant, 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, became a star at HBCU South Carolina State, where he was a 2-time All-MEAC selection and an FCS All-American in 2021.
Headed into the 2022 NFL draft, Durant not only starred at the East-West Shrine Bowl but ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine — the 5th fastest time for his position.
“Durant might be undersized, but he plays with tremendous confidence and competitiveness,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in 2022. ” … Durant profiles as a late Day 3 selection due to his size, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him outperform his draft slotting.”
The Rams selected Durant in the 4th round (No. 121 overall), and he had 3 interceptions as a rookie with an NFL-leading 151 return yards.
Durant started 9 games in his 2nd season before he became a full-time starter the last 2 seasons, including matching his career-high with 3 interceptions in 2025 to go with 40 tackles and 7 pass deflections — that included his 2nd career interception return for a touchdown.
Cowboys Signed 2 Defensive Backs Away From Rams
Durant wasn’t the only free agent cornerback the Cowboys signed away from the Rams, signing veteran Derion Kendrick on Tuesday.
The Rams drafted Kendrick in the 6th round (No. 212 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft, and he played his first 3 seasons there before splitting 2025 between the Seahawks and Rams.
“CB Derion Kendrick is signing with the Cowboys on a 1-year deal, per his agent Matt Leist of LAA,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, that defense is still the biggest thing holding the Cowboys back, and it’s up to 1st year defensive coordinator Christian Parker to try and fix it.
“Dallas has one of the more talented offenses in the game,” Verderame wrote. “CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are an elite combination, and Dak Prescott is always a top-10 quarterback. If the Cowboys can improve behind new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, they’re in business. That aforementioned defense is a rough group, and trading Osa Odighizuwa won’t help matters. While newcomers Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson are nice pieces, Parker will need to work some magic.”
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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