The Dallas Cowboys are now officially in the market for a cornerback, as if they weren’t already. On the second day of the tampering window for free agency, Dallas loses their most noteworthy free agent to date, as cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The four-year pro out of Colorado was a second-round pick in 2017, but will now head to Ohio to ply his trade. The deal is reportedly for three years. Terms of the agreement have not been revealed, but Awuzie will likely be placed in the Cowboys compensatory pick formula at a fourth-round or fifth-round level.
#Bengals agree to terms on a three-year deal with former #Cowboys CB Chidobe Awuzie, source says. Cincy continuing to make moves on defense. They liked the former second-rounder's athleticism and consistency.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2021
Awuzie had started 42 of the 49 career games he’s played for the Cowboys. He only appeared in eight games in 2020, dealing with a hamstring injury that sat him down for the majority of the season’s first half. He also missed time later in the year when he had to be placed on the COVID-19 list. Hamstring injuries also hampered him early in his career.
The biggest issue with Awuzie not living up to his draft pedigree was ball awareness. Consistently in close proximity to receivers, Awuzie was routinely finding himself on the defending end of specatular catches. They all had a common theme, Awuzie’s back being on camera as the ball landed in the receiver’s arms.
Some lauded him for sticky coverage, but it was apparent to those looking that either through coached technique or lack of awareness, Awuzie wasn’t making plays on the ball. He finishes his four years with Dallas with four interceptions, one per season.
After he returned to the field in December he started Week 15, but spent Week 16 and Week 17 as CB4.
Dallas also stands to potentially lose slot corner Jourdan Lewis and starting safety Xavier Woods, both also unrestricted free agents. Remaining at the cornerback position are 2020 second-round pick Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown, who signed a three-year deal to remain in Dallas last offseason. CJ Goodwin, a special teams star is also an unrestricted free agent, while Maurice Canady returns after opting out of the 2020 season.
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