It began in 2020, when they selected Trevon Diggs in the second round — a pick that quickly proved to be a steal. By his second season, Diggs was an NFL All-Pro and, to date, has earned two Pro Bowl honors. Two years later, in 2022, Dallas struck gold again with DaRon Bland in the fifth round. Bland exploded onto the scene in 2023, leading the league with nine interceptions and tying the NFL’s single-season record with six defensive touchdowns.
And now, it appears the Cowboys might have unearthed another future star: rookie cornerback Shavon Revel, their third-round pick in the 2025 draft.
Since making his debut in Week 11, Revel has played a significant role in elevating the Cowboys’ defense — a unit that has now won three straight games with him in the rotation.
“He continues to amaze me, man,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer told The Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt. “It’s so fun to watch him grow.”
Despite being thrown into high-pressure situations early, including one start, Revel has handled the challenge with poise. He’s already been on the field for 64% of the team’s defensive snaps.
According to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris, Revel has allowed only five receptions for 61 yards across his first 89 NFL coverage snaps — an exceptional start for any rookie cornerback.
Yet Revel’s path to Dallas wasn’t straightforward. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound defender tore his ACL just six games into his final season at East Carolina in 2024, a setback that caused his draft stock to dip. Before the injury, many draft analysts — including those within the Cowboys organization — viewed him as a likely first-round pick.
“The Cowboys considered Revel one of the best corner prospects in the 2025 draft, if not the best,” Hoyt reported. “Without the torn ACL, he almost certainly would’ve come off the board earlier.”
Dallas was drawn to his rare physical profile — his length, height, and nearly 80-inch wingspan — tools that make him a natural fit for press-man coverage.
If Revel continues on this trajectory and ultimately becomes a full-time starter, he may end up being one of the biggest bargains on the roster. He’s playing on a four-year, $6.5 million contract — exactly the type of value Dallas desperately needs, especially with Trevon Diggs dealing with repeated injuries while on a costly five-year, $97 million extension.
Diggs has missed 27 games over the last three seasons, including 15 in 2023, six in 2024, and another six so far in 2025. His latest absence has raised even more questions, stemming from a concussion reportedly suffered during a mysterious accident at his home.
Heading into a crucial Week 14 showdown against the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football, Diggs says he’s finally ready to return.
“Three words,” he told reporter Clarence Hill Jr. when asked about the injury. “At home accident.”
Diggs added that he feels healthier now than he did at the start of the season and hopes to suit up — if the Cowboys give him the green light.