Cowboys select cornerback Kelvin Joseph with 44th pick

Joseph, a Louisiana native, started his collegiate career at LSU and played in 12 games in his freshman season. Following a suspension, he entered the transfer portal twice and eventually enrolled at the University of Kentucky.

The 6-foot-1 cornerback enjoyed a breakout season in 2020 with the Wildcats. He recorded four interceptions, including a pick-six, and tacked on a pass deflection in nine games.

Analysis of Cowboys drafting Joseph

Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys desperately needed help at cornerback. They hoped to land Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn at the No. 10 pick in Round 1, but both were off the board. After adding linebacker Micah Parsons to the front seven, Dallas lands a potential long-term starter on the outside.

Joseph checks plenty of boxes, in terms of the physical tools NFL teams look for in a cornerback. He has great length and boasts excellent athleticism. He also plays with the swagger and tenacity that many great NFL defensive backs have and is often important for lasting at the position.

While there are plenty of pure traits for the Cowboys to like, Joseph is a project. He doesn’t have a ton of experience, plays recklessly and gets fooled far too often by quarterbacks and receivers. Pro Football Focus gave him an NFL comparison to Eli Apple. Cornerbacks typically have a steep learning curve when they arrive in the NFL and that will be especially true for Joseph.

The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to make their next pick in Round 3, with the 75th selection. It will be their first of three picks in the third round, as they also hold the No. 84 and 99 overall picks.