Unlike last year, the Dallas Cowboys have done a commendable job replacing players who departed in free agency. The one player they have not replaced, though, was one of the most important players on the roster the last several years: cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Many found it dumbfounding (and rightfully so) that Dallas allowed Lewis to reach free agency. He was the heartbeat of the secondary and his bulldog mentality helped set the tone both on the field and in the locker room.
However, early reports out of OTAs hint the team may have found its Lewis replacement. While a number of players have rotated in the nickel, including DaRon Bland, none other than Juanyeh Thomas has seen a lot of burn at the position.
Cowboys experimenting replacing Jourdan Lewis with Juanyeh Thomas at OTAs
With Donovan Wilson and now Malik Hooker battling injuries to start OTAs, Thomas has frequently lined up as a starting safety in team drills. Despite that, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus continues to moonlight Thomas in the slot.
"I don't mean to sound cocky but I can play in any spot," Thomas said, via Cowboys staff writer Patrik Walker. "So it's just knowing, learning, every single spot. And when your number is called, you have to be ready. That's what I take into account: whenever my number is called, I've got to be ready to go in at corner, nickel, or safety."
Does this mean Thomas will start in the nickel come Week 1? No. It is very possible the front office signs a veteran well before then. Longtime starters Mike Hilton and Rasul Douglas are both available.
Bland is also in consideration and would be a seamless fit given he played exclusively in the slot as a rookie. He is naturally a nickel corner. The only problem is Trevon Diggs isn't healthy and rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel is still working his way back from ACL surgery.
Kaiir Elam and Andrew Booth have started at outside CB in practice. Eberflus might have no other choice but to play Bland out wide. That would swing the door wide open for Thomas to start in the slot.
Fan favorite Israel Mukuamu has also seen some burn in the nickel, but Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noticed Mukuamu play more at outside CB in Tuesday's practice.
The configuration is very much a work-in progress, but it is not a coincidence that Thomas is seeing more reps in the slot. It will be interesting to see how much that ramps up once Wilson and Hooker return to practice.
