Rookies don’t usually hit the ground running in the NFL. It often takes years for most players to hit their strides, and sometimes, the stride never arrives. As one might imagine, different positions offer different learning curves. A position like running back takes almost no time to all to acclimate, whereas a position on the offensive line is said to take multiple seasons and offseasons to develop.
The cornerback position likely falls somewhere in the middle. Rookies often contribute but how often do they actually play well? The Dallas Cowboys felt they snagged a potential steal when they selected cornerback Devin Moore at pick No. 114 in the 2026 NFL draft. Many believe Moore could have been a second-round pick had it not been for his sorted injury history. If he strung together four years of his healthy 2025 season, he probably would have been a top prospect, they say.
Assuming he can stay healthy, the expectations are high for the Cowboys’ rookie. With many question marks above him on the depth chart, it’s not unrealistic to think Moore could play a big role and even make starts in the 2026 season.
Looking back at the last couple draft classes we can see how realistic these possibilities are. By reviewing which rookies have done well and which have struggled, we can calibrate expectations for Moore.
Florida CB Devin Moore is another really intriguing prospect that is going a bit overlooked. 6’3 with easy speed to match receivers vertically; shows very impressive range in zone. His eye discipline and patience in press man was what stuck out the most.
Like most taller… pic.twitter.com/2Ue3IL4x3V
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTuls) February 11, 2026
2025 CB draft class
Based on PFF performance data, we can see 15 rookie cornerbacks met qualifying minimum snap counts in 2025. One of them, Nohl Williams, graded in the top 20, blowing his third-round draft status out of the water. The Cowboys’ third-round cornerback, Shavon Revel, landed on the other end of the spectrum, grading dead last in his draft class and finishing 112 overall last year.
Five rookie cornerbacks finished in the top 50 last season. They were value-added to their programs and represent the best-case scenario for rookies. One was a first rounder, three were third rounders and one, Marcus Harris, was a sixth rounder and certified steal.
Eight members of the cornerback class, the majority, graded in the bottom third of the NFL last year. They were bottom level performers and all-too-often liabilities on the field.
2024 CB draft class
Based on PFF data, 21 rookie cornerbacks met a 20% qualifying snap count requirement in 2024. The top spot, occupied by Philadelphia Eagles slot man Cooper DeJean, wasn’t just the top graded rookie, but top-rated cornerback overall in the NFL. Like the 2025 class, Dallas has the unfortunate honor of bookending the low side of the spectrum with Caelen Carson who finished 21 in his class and landing at 111 overall.
Three rookies from this class inexplicably finished in the top 10 with one being drafted from each of the first three rounds. Overall, nine rookie cornerbacks finished in the top 50 with most of those prospects being drafted in the first two rounds. Like the 2025 class, roughly half fell into the “liability” category as rookies indicating a true coin flip in rookie cornerback contributions.
Only SEC Cornerback with 80+ Coverage & Run Defense Grades Last Season:
🐊 Devin Moore, Florida@GatorsFBpic.twitter.com/4xTe3HHafK
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 28, 2026
Cowboys takeaways
Being a fourth rounder doesn’t help Moore’s prospects for having a standout rookie season in Dallas, but it doesn’t sink his cause either. Various midround cornerbacks have thrived as rookies and Moore’s film and athletic skillset indicate he might be one of them in 2026.
But the odds are still stacked against Moore. Many of the rookie cornerbacks who have thrived, have done so as missing pieces on excellent defenses. As the No. 32 ranked defense in 2025, the Cowboys are as far from excellent as humanly possible. There’s a reason they’ve had the two lowest performing rookie cornerbacks the last two years and it’s at least partially because the unit they were on was terrible.
If the Cowboys want Moore to be an impact player as a rookie, they need to improve their defense overall.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys expectations for Devin Moore: How rookie CBs perform
