When the Cowboys selected Caelen Carson in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, fans and draftniks alike declared that it was a steal. The Wake Forest cornerback appeared to be a versatile candidate who could fit into any system and take on any role. A jack-of-all-trades, he didn't have obvious Pro Bowl skills, but he brought starting ability that's pretty impressive two rounds into Day 3 of the draft.
Like many rookie CBs, Carson has struggled with consistency. He sprinkles missed tackles with made tackles and good coverage with bad coverage. All of this is completely forgivable for a player as inexperienced as Carson, but one fatal mistake jeopardizes everything: tracking the ball.
On at least two occasions Sunday, Carson had the opportunity to easily intercept the ball. Inferior passes would have been possible if Carson had just turned his head to find the ball.
Against the Eagles in Week 10, Carson was frequently targeted by Jalen Hurts. Before Carson was substituted late, he allowed five balls against seven goals. The 108 yards he gave up were 66 more than the next closest Cowboy. It was and a clear setback in his once exciting career.
Ball tracking is much easier said than done and despite the best intentions of many players, some CBs never develop the ability to turn and track. It's this aspect of the game that can make or break Carson in the NFL.
Remember, even when Hurts was in good position and doing his job step by step, he showed no hesitation in releasing a ball and sending it in Carson's direction. Without showing he could turn and chase, the rookie posed no threat of ever compromising those passes. It allowed for consistency-free passing and made him a frequent target throughout the afternoon.
Carson's current game is the opposite of what Quarterbacks are forced to rethink their decisions and get in Diggs' way because what he lacks in tight coverage, he makes up for in his generational ball skills. He provided proof of this when he made a stunning interception in the end zone on Sunday. That makes him an asset for Dallas, even if he doesn't play the best game.
If Carson can't develop the ability to turn and track, he may have to settle for a supporting role in zone schemes. That's not the worst thing in the world, but it pigeonholes a player who was once praised for his versatility and flexibility.
10 weeks into his rookie season, Carson is struggling to live up to the draft day hype. Injuries have forced the 22-year-old to play in just five games this year, and the action he has seen has been underwhelming and uninspiring to those who once labeled him the Cowboys' draft steal.
The good news is that Carson was thrown into the fire much earlier than any other Day 3 candidate. Without DaRon Bland's preseason injury, Carson would have had a very different start to his career. There is still plenty of time for development and that starts with building confidence and playing to your strengths.
Pushing Carson back to CB4 might be the best way to handle this situation, as it would allow Mike Zimmer to use him more in zone situations in Cover 2 and Cover 3 and less in those pesky Cover 1 looks that ask him to to man up. Based on his play in Week 10, he needs stepping stones to help him build his confidence.
