After intercepting only eight passes in 2015, the Cowboys have been looking to upgrade their defensive backfield this offseason. 

Morris Claiborne was re-signed for another year. Veteran cornerbacks Nolan Carroll and Patrick Robinson visited the Cowboys but signed with other teams.

There are still questions to be answered about Dallas’ secondary. Brandon Carr could be asked to take a pay cut. Orlando Scandrick is coming off a serious knee injury. And even if Carr returns and Scandrick is completely healthy, the Cowboys could afford to add a talented young piece to the mix.

Last year’s first-round pick, Byron Jones, looks to be the team’s starting free safety of the future. Of course, he has the ability to play almost all of the defensive back positions if needed.

While another safety could be added in this year’s draft, an early defensive-back pick would likely be spent on a corner.

Here are 10 possibilities for the Cowboys at corner and safety.

1.) Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State.

Similar to Jones, Ramsey has the ability to play almost every spot in a defensive backfield. Some believe he’ll be a shutdown corner in the NFL, others see him as more of a safety. Either way, Ramsey is this draft’s top defensive back, and he’s expected to be a top 5 pick.

Expert: “Not only are you going to get a great player on the field and a great competitor, you’re going to have a guy who’s going to influence the other guys on your team by the way he competes and goes about his business. And to me, when you’re picking high picks, or you have your team leaders, it’s how they affect the other guys. Then I think the uniqueness of the game today, which is such a spread game. He can play corner, he can play safety, he can play nickel, he can cover all the different people you have, whether it’s a tight end or a little receiver or a big receiver. He brings a uniqueness to the game.” — Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher on NFL Network talking about what a team will get by drafting Ramsey.

2.) Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida.

The All-American has started since his freshman year at Florida, intercepting 10 passes in three seasons. Hargreaves entered the 2015 season widely regarded as college football’s top corner, however, he struggled down the stretch in the SEC title game versus Alabama and the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.

Expert: “Hargreaves has a level of suddenness and explosiveness in his movements that should always have him near the ball. With top-notch ball skills and exceptional instincts that drew praise from Alabama’s Nick Saban, Hargreaves possesses the football makeup to become a Pro Bowl cornerback.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com.

3.) William Jackson III, CB, Houston.

Jackson had a huge season last year totaling five interceptions and 23 pass breakups in 13 games. He has good size [6-0, 189 pounds] to play corner in the NFL. There was a time when I thought Jackson could potentially be an option for the Cowboys in the second round [34th overall], however, most experts now have him coming off the board late in the first round. 

Expert: “William Jackson is going to climb. His tape is good and now he’s a sub 4.4 (40-yard dash) guy. He had seven passes broken up versus Temple and also had five interceptions on the year. So, you want to talk about ball production and being around and making plays, this kid did it.” — NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock

4.) Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State.

In two seasons, Apple recorded four interceptions for the Buckeyes, including one in the 2015 national championship game at AT&T Stadium. At 6-1, he has the height NFL teams are looking for at the position. Apple, second-team All-Big Ten, had 18 pass breakups during his two seasons as a starter. 

Expert: “Apple possesses several traits for the cornerback position that translate well to the next level with his size, length and athleticism. Apple isn’t afraid to be physical and contest at the top of routes, but he’s still learning what he can get away with and what will draw flags – desired length for the position, but NFL teams will be forced to live and die with his hands-on contact while he figures it out.” — Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

5.) Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson.

Although he’s only 5-11, Alexander has the coverage skills to be a No. 1 corner in the NFL. In two seasons at Clemson, Alexander deflected 11 passes but he did not record an interception. Regardless of the stats, most experts have him going into this month’s scouting combine as one of the top three defensive backs in this class.

Expert: “I think every guy that talks about Mackensie knows I’m the best corner in college. It’s not even close. … Look at my body of work, the things I’ve put on, the things I’ve done. It’s not even close. My numbers, you look at everybody else’s numbers. I don’t care who they are and what league they play in. If you can play, you can play.” — Alexander said in August.

Next 5 (in alphabetical order):

Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State

Artie Burns, CB, Miami

Jeremy Cash, S, Duke

Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

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