The Cowboys' defense looks to be improved, but there are still some questions over the secondary.
Training camp is nearly upon us, and for the Dallas Cowboys, Oxnard will answer a lot of questions we have about Christian Parker's defense.
With the free agency additions, plus the draft haul headlined by Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence, there is a lot to get excited about if you are a Cowboys fan.
But with all the hope and optimism surrounding the defensive changes, the secondary for some, is still very much a question mark.
How the group meshes and works under Parker will be a key watch given his background, and there is some talent there, but also some unknowns as well.
So, let's have a look at how the secondary is shaping up ahead of Parker's first training camp as a defensive coordinator.
The additions of Cobie Durant, who was a starter for the Los Angeles Rams last season, and safety Jalen Thompson, who was often in Budda Baker's shadow in Arizona, feel like they have been underrated.
Both have skins on the wall in the league, and are consistent when on the field, which is something this Cowboys defense desperately needs.
DaRon Bland is a known talent but an unknown regarding his foot issues, and Malik Hooker, who has been a staple of Dallas defenses for years, looks set, at least right now, to be starting under Parker.
PJ Locke looms as a chess piece and rotational player for Parker, while Derion Keldrick and Reddy Stewart could look to make some noise in camp.
So that takes care of the top of the depth chart. Now it gets interesting.
Downs looms as the big watch in Oxnard, as most of the hope is tied directly to him, and there was even a thought that he could take the green dot as a rookie, such is his high intellect.
How he fares in his first training camp could directly impact how this defense is viewed.
Shavon Revel Jr. is another young player who has a lot to prove. He came back last season from an ACL injury, and it was clear he wasn't himself, wearing a brace on his injured knee.
But now he gets a full offseason, and he looms as one who could make some noise in Oxnard, given the Cowboys' value him highly.
Caelen Carson and Josh Butler are the forgotten players in all of this, and they too have shown at one time or another that they can be productive. So they will be a close watch ... as will Markquese Bell, who might get squeezed at safety.
Then we have the unknowns in Devin Moore (a pick likely to stick), Trikweze Bridgers, Ameer Speed, Zion Childress, Julius Wood and Alijah Clark.
All will be looking to make a name for themselves over the coming weeks, as Dallas' secondary has a lot of question marks right now.
Can Parker, who has skins on the wall developing corners, take this unit to a new level and ease the fears?
We're about to find out.
