Cowboys: With Scandrick return, obvious option may not be best

Orlando Scandrick is expected to return to the Cowboys this week after the NFL and NFLPA struck a new agreement on the performance-enhancing drug policy. There is no doubt his return is good news for the Cowboys; Scandrick graded as the team’s best player in coverage in 2013 (+8.5). Although he struggled in run support, missing three of 14 tackles, Scandrick filled a valuable role as the team’s slot cornerback (58% of his 658 snaps).

During Scandrick’s absence in the first two weeks of the 2014 season, Sterling Moore performed admirably; he has earned a +1.5 grade in coverage, mostly as the team’s slot cornerback (90% of Moore’s total snaps).

Draft prestige and contract status may relegate Moore to the bench in favor of Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, but a case could be made for continued playing time for Moore. While Scandrick will likely resume his slot cornerback duties, Moore’s coverage grade as primarily a boundary cornerback in 2013 (+2.7) is higher than those of both Claiborne (-5.9) and Carr (-1.3). Furthermore, through week two of 2014, Claiborne (-2.5) and Carr (-2.9) have continued to struggle in coverage.