Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: Could Darrelle Revis be key piece for secondary?

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:24 a.m. ET

Fansided, Cody Williams/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is trying to recruit free-agent defensive back Darrelle Revis, but what would that mean for the secondary?

We're entering the heart of June with training camp on the horizon, yet Darrelle Revis remains unsigned. Though it's just supposition at this point, that feels like it won't be the case come camp, or at least the preseason. However, the question remains of which team the veteran defensive back will land with. As it turns out, at least one member of the Dallas Cowboys hopes it's America's Team.

Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has never been one to hold his tongue. That applies to him on the field, in front of the media, and even with social media. He's almost always going to speak his mind, for better or worse. Fans found out on Saturday that's not just limited to outbursts, either.

On Saturday, Bryant took to Twitter and reached out to Revis. His message? Seemingly a recruiting pitch to the veteran to come join the Cowboys:

@Revis24 Dallas? ….I promise you are going to love what we got going on around here..your attitude fits our culture…waiting…..

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 10, 2017

At first glance, Revis would be an odd fit given the clear direction of the Dallas secondary. With Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox departing in free agency, the Cowboys put a clear emphasis on youth. Their only free agency signing was that of Nolan Carroll, a player the Philadelphia Eagles were happy to let walk.

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With the likes of Byron Jones, Anthony Brown and Orlando Scandrick still in-tow, the Cowboys instead turned to the draft to fill out the secondary. They got a steal in the second round in cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. Another high value pick fell to them in the third, corner Jourdan Lewis. Xavier Woods in the sixth round was another massive coup at safety, and Marquez White was also added in Round 6 as more depth at cornerback.

From the draft and given the shortcomings of secondaries in the past, it's clear the front office wanted to start anew. The Cowboys group of defensive backs is rife with youth and high upside. Subsequently, the soon-to-be 32-year old Revis ultimately stands contrastingly to that group.

Revis' past two seasons with the New York Jets were the worst two of his career, per Pro Football Focus' grades. There was a call for many to move him to safety, but he resisted. Additionally, he was being paid like a top corner still, which his physical skills were no longer allowing him to be. Thus, he was cut and is left without a team still.

With that said, there's still value when it comes to Revis. Looking at a player like Carroll, even the declined version of Revis is still better than the former Eagle. Revis' last two seasons were graded by PFF at 78.4 and 72.1, respectively. His 2015 mark is better than any season of Carroll's to this point. What's more, the 72.1 grade is better than four of Carroll's seven seasons in the NFL.

When you then factor in Carroll's recent arrest for DWI, how much value does he really have? Would it not make more sense to bring in Revis for that veteran presence if he's simply a better player, even at his age? Even if they were just to sign him and simply play him in corner, that move would be an upgrade for the Cowboys.

However, the picture becomes even more favorable for Dallas the deeper you look. If the Cowboys were to convince Revis on a position change (not a guarantee, but possible), he'd provide much needed depth at safety. What's more, he'd then morph into a highly versatile piece for Rod Marinelli to play with.

Then you have the mentorship factor with Revis. While he's not exactly been a model pro at times — which Jets fans will attest to — his level of play is undeniable. For a team banking on youth with their defensive backs, having another guiding force would be beneficial. And learning from Revis holds far more value than doing so under someone like Carroll.

Obviously the key in all of this comes down to money. With Tony Romo and Doug Free off the books, the Cowboys finally have cap room to work with. However, breaking the bank for Revis would hardly be a prudent decision. They would need to land him on a team-friendly deal, which could make this hypothetical move ultimately fantasy.

But if the Cowboys could make the right deal happen, Revis would be a nice fit. There's potential for an on-field impact individually and with the secondary as a unit under his leadership. As Dallas looks to solidify further a defense that was their downfall in 2016, Revis would be a key component in helping them do so.