Packers CB Rasul Douglas may be used by the Cowboys in their defensive backfield.
The Dallas Cowboys have a crucial position they could improve at as the trade deadline draws near.
The Cowboys would receive a 2024 fifth-round pick in return for Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas, according to a trade scenario put forth by Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network. Dallas could trade a 2025 fifth-round pick or acquire one at the deadline, even though they currently do not have one after trading their pick in the 2023 NFL Draught.
Following the season-ending injury suffered by No. 1 cornerback Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys now feature Stephon Gilmore and former nickel cornerback DaRon Bland on the outside with Jourdan Lewis on the inside as the new nickel cornerback. By acquiring Douglas, they could then shift Bland back to the nickel position and stick Douglas as the corner on the outside, as suggested by Robinson.
“Instead, Dallas has shifted slot corner DaRon Bland to the outside to play alongside Stephon Gilmore,” writes Robinson. “He’s been excellent, but Jourdan Lewis has struggled inside. Would the Cowboys consider adding another outside CB and moving Bland back to the nickel?”
Rasul Douglas Trade Could Have Future Effects
The Cowboys’ current season as well as the team’s future after the 2023 campaign would be impacted by the acquisition of Douglas. This is due to the fact that Douglas is signed through the 2024 season, but Gilmore will be available as a free agent during the 2024 offseason.
“Throughout his NFL career, Rasul Douglas has spent time both inside and outside, so he would give Dallas options,” writes Robinson. Additionally, he has a contract through 2024, so he might stay with the Cowboys and replace Gilmore, who is set to become a free agent in the spring of next year.
Douglas started his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 and has been the starting cornerback for the Packers since the 2021 season. Douglas appeared in 48% of the defensive snaps and started five games in addition to winning a Super Bowl at the end of the season.
In his 95 games, the 28-year-old veteran has started 56 of them. He recently finished a stellar season in which he recorded a career-high 85 tackles.
One of the NFL’s Best Cornerbacks is Rasul Douglas
The Packers’ pass defence is a strong component of their team, even though they haven’t played well defensively this season—they rank 21st in points allowed. They are ranked ninth in yards per attempt allowed, fifth in passing touchdowns, and eighth in passing yards.
One of the primary causes of that high calibre of play is Douglas. Douglas has recorded an 80.7 defensive grade and an 85.6 coverage grade this season, per Pro Football Focus. Douglas is ranked third in coverage grade and eighth in defensive grade among cornerbacks who have played at least 100 snaps.
The versatility of Douglas makes the prospect of acquiring him all the more alluring. Last season, he filled in for 198 defensive snaps in the slot.
The Cowboys’ defence could improve significantly with Douglas added, but team owner Jerry Jones is downplaying the possibility of a trade before the deadline on October 31.
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