Diggs’ exit closed a near six-season chapter that, while productive at times, carried a high price tag and durability concerns. Dallas also holds multiple first-round picks in April’s draft, suggesting the secondary could be an early area of emphasis through the draft as well as potential veteran additions.
Fox Sports’ Greg Auman floated Samuel Jr. as a tempting reclamation project. The Florida State product previously posted six interceptions across his first three seasons and logged a standout playoff performance with three picks in a game against the Jaguars, highlighting the ceiling Dallas would be hoping to recapture.
Samuel Jr.’s injury history remains the primary caveat. A major neck injury sustained in October 2024 limited him to 10 games across the last two seasons, though a late-season cameo with the Pittsburgh Steelers offered a glimpse of upside. He started three games and earned a 67.2 PFF grade in that stretch.
Cap space would be a decisive factor. Dallas is reportedly around $30 million over the cap, making a one-year, modestly priced deal—and potential restructures or cuts—plausible avenues to bring Samuel Jr. into the fold to compete for the club’s CB2 role opposite DaRon Bland, while Revel and Caelen Carson could also push for starting reps.
In the end, a veteran corner like Asante Samuel Jr. would provide a sensible, low-risk path to immediate improvement for Dallas’ secondary, contingent on health and cap flexibility. The move would also align with Dallas’ long-term plan to bridge the gap to their younger corners as they navigate the 2025 offseason.
