The Dallas Cowboys enter 2025 training camp with talent across the roster but lingering injury concerns where it hurts the most.
This time, it’s the cornerback room that’s under fire, and with only one starting-caliber player currently healthy, the front office may have no choice but to seek reinforcements.
Trevon Diggs, the team’s top corner and a two-time Pro Bowler, is still recovering from knee surgery, the second straight year he’s undergone a major procedure. Though he signed a lucrative five-year, $97 million extension, his availability early in the season remains uncertain.
Shavon Revel Jr., a promising rookie selected in the third round, is also sidelined as he works his way back from an ACL tear suffered last season at East Carolina.
That leaves DaRon Bland, arguably the Cowboys‘ breakout star from the 2023 campaign, as the only healthy option among the trio.
But even Bland‘s status isn’t without red flags. He missed 10 games last year with a foot injury, and he’s now being asked to transition into the slot following Jourdan Lewis‘ departure in free agency.
While Bland has proven his versatility in the past, shifting him inside takes him away from his natural boundary role, potentially diminishing the unit’s overall effectiveness.
Free agent Mike Hilton emerges as a stopgap solution
Given the circumstances, it’s no surprise that experts are urging the Cowboys to consider immediate options.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently highlighted veteran cornerback Mike Hilton as a “terrific target” for Dallas. At 31 years old, Hilton may be exactly what the Cowboys need in 2025.
“Hilton would be a terrific target for the Dallas Cowboys, who enter camp with injury concerns at cornerback,” Knox wrote. “Two-time Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs is recovering from knee surgery that he underwent in January, while rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. is recovering from a torn ACL.”
Hilton, who last played for the Cincinnati Bengals, quietly had a strong season in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned the 23rd-highest grade among all cornerbacks-a clear indicator that he can still perform at a high level, especially in specialized roles.
Known for his physicality, football IQ, and quick reactions in zone coverage, Hilton‘s skill set fits the Cowboys‘ defensive scheme well under coordinator Mike Zimmer.
The Cowboys, who boast one of the NFL’s most aggressive pass-rushing units, rely heavily on their secondary to hold up in man coverage while pressure collapses the pocket.
Without solid options at cornerback, that strategy can quickly unravel. Signing Hilton would be a low-risk, high-reward move that shores up the slot position while buying time for Diggs and Revel to get healthy.
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