Training camp will be here in a matter of days, and while the Dallas Cowboys' roster is largely in good standing, they have a number of question marks that need to be answered in some capacity before September.
In many ways, the more interesting takeaway will be who wins starting jobs rather than who misses the cut. The running back competition will have everyone's attention, but cornerback is one position that could deliver a variety of surprises.
Speaking of, Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News took a stab at projecting the 53-man roster and he raised a great question about longtime special teams captain C.J. Goodwin. Essentially, Hoyt wonders if Dallas has the flexibility to keep Goodwin given the state of the CB room.
"... The yearly x-factor here is C.J. Goodwin, a special teams ace and a valued leader in the locker room," Hoyt wrote. "Only Dak Prescott has been with the team longer. With some questions on the roster, can the Cowboys afford to keep Goodwin, 35, again?"
Cowboys could be forced to part with C.J. Goodwin after seven seasons
Despite moving on from special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel this offseason, Dallas brought Goodwin back on a one-year deal in March. They would have more incentive to keep the 35-year-old if the cornerback room had more stability and less question marks.
The Cowboys have managed to keep Goodwin around for seven seasons. While he hasn't always made the initial 53-man roster, he tends to find his way back one way or another.
Trevon Diggs and Josh Butler could start the season on the PUP list, while third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. is fighting to be cleared for camp after he tore his ACL last September.
Trade acquisition Kaiir Elam, who performed well in offseason workouts, is the favorite to start alongside DaRon Bland. Behind them, Hoyt has Caelen Carson, Israel Mukuamu and Goodwin rounding out the final three spots.
Goodwin's fate could hinge on the health of Revel as well as the play of Carson, Mukuamu and the other depth options.
If Revel needs more time, the Cowboys may be compelled to keep another corner. Goodwin is listed as a CB, but he's played 24 defensive snaps the last four seasons, per PFF. He's a full-time special teamer. He could become the odd man out if Dallas needs another body at cornerback.
Goodwin is one of the best special teams gunners in the NFL, but it goes without saying that cornerback is the more important position group.
If Jerry Jones had made the position more of a priority this offseason, Brian Schottenheimer and Co. would have the flexibility to keep Goodwin without putting much thought into it. This could have been avoided, but it is now anyone's guess if Goodwin will stick around.
