The Cowboys hit the jackpot with cornerback Trevon Diggs in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft and he’s registered 14 interceptions in 28 games so far. Dallas decided to add another piece to the cornerback position in the 2021 NFL draft by selecting Kelvin Joseph out of Kentucky who was tied for second in the SEC with four interceptions during his final collegiate season, returning one for a touchdown.
Joseph’s rookie campaign started slowly during OTAs due to a 10-day quarantine for COVID. Once training camp started in Oxnard, however, Joseph began to hit his stride as he got work on the outside with Diggs and in the slot going against wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Unfortunately, Joseph suffered a groin injury before the end of the preseason and was placed on injured reserve which delayed his NFL debut until Week 8. Things slowly built from there for the exciting rookie.
The 44th overall pick in 2021 got his first career start in Week 16 against the Washington Football Team, and he didn’t disappoint. Joseph played 57 snaps and registered three tackles and a pass breakup while allowing minus two yards on five targets in the Cowboys’ 56-14 victory.
After 14 defensive snaps in first 14 games, Cowboys rookie CB Kelvin Joseph played 57 in Sunday’s win over Washington. Strong first NFL start for Bossman Fat, who handled outside while Anthony Brown showcased his versatility, sliding into nickel. pic.twitter.com/38KyLED9kD
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 27, 2021
In the Cowboys season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, Joseph got his second start. Playing all of the team’s 74 defensive snaps in a 51-26 rout, Joseph tallied nine tackles (seven solo) and nearly got his first career interception.
Joseph logged 150 snaps in the final three games after just 14 in the first seven he played. He displayed the sticky coverage skills that made him one of the top cornerbacks coming out of the college ranks and even showed he can provide support against the run.
Anthony Brown had his best season in 2021 and made it hard for Joseph to see action. However, Joseph was drafted to be the Cowboys’ starter of the future opposite Diggs. The versatility of lining up on the outside and in the slot gives defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a lot to work with in the event an injury occurs.
Speaking of Quinn, he brought a different attitude and confidence to the Cowboys’ defense this season with his hands-on approach. That led to his unit being No. 1 in turnovers with 34 (tops in the NFL with 26 interceptions). Joseph is the perfect player under Quinn seeing as he revealed that same type of moxy during training camp.
“We’re going to fly around,” Joseph said. “No-fly zone. We’re gonna call it airplane mode.
“When y’all drop this interview, tell them, ‘Cowboys defense,’ Kelvin Joseph says, ‘airplane mode.’ You can’t throw. No-fly zone.”
Joseph only scratched the surface of his potential as a rookie and should make a lot more noise in 2022 as his role expands.
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