After spending the early part of the season on injured reserve, rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. finally made his long-awaited debut for the Dallas Cowboys. The 6’2”, 202-pound defensive back out of East Carolina wasted little time reminding everyone why the Cowboys were excited about his upside, recording four solo tackles and his first career interception in limited action.
“It felt great just to be back out there with my brothers,” Revel said postgame. “I’ve been working day in and day out during rehab to make sure when my number got called, I was ready.”
Revel brings an intriguing blend of size, length, and athleticism to the Cowboys’ defensive scheme. Dallas defensive coordinator has emphasized press-man coverage and aggressive matchups outside the numbers, and Revel’s 6’2” frame and fluid footwork make him a natural fit for those responsibilities. His ability to disrupt routes early and close on the ball quickly adds another weapon to a secondary already featuring playmakers like DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs.
Still, as a rookie, Revel faces a fight for snaps. The Cowboys’ depth chart is stacked, with Bland and Diggs entrenched as the top two corners and Kaiir Elam also commanding reps. But Revel has already shown he can make the most of his opportunities, and his debut performance is the type that could earn him more playing time as the season wears on.
Coaches have praised his work ethic and willingness to embrace his role, and there’s a growing sense inside the locker room that Revel may carve out a bigger piece of the rotation sooner than later.
“Competition makes everybody better,” head coach said. “Shavon’s been hungry since the day he walked into the building, and the way he prepares, the way he competes — he’s going to keep pushing for more.”
With one interception already under his belt, Revel Jr. has begun writing what could be one of the more intriguing rookie storylines for Dallas this season. For a player who had to wait longer than most to take the field, he’s already proving he belongs.
