Cornerback Trade Strengthens Two Super Bowl Contenders

Dallas Ships CB Kelvin Joseph to Miami in Exchange For CB Noah Igbinoghene

On Tuesday afternoon, the news broke that the Dallas Cowboys would be trading Kelvin Joseph to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for 2020 NFL Draft first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene. The trade will give each CB a fresh start in completely different defensive schemes.

Both sides probably saw this divorce coming.

Dallas and Miami have both been disheartened by their former CB prospects, and this trade provides them each a fresh start. Here is a breakdown of the entire trade, and what Noah Igbinoghene brings to Dallas.

Physical Play

Noah Igbinoghene was a slight wild card coming out of the draft. His measurables were good and he is the right size to play CB. He has difficulty with holding and getting his head turned to look for the ball, but this can be worked on. Igbinoghene is still only 23 years old, and he is a ball of clay. Dan Quinn loves his young physical playmakers all around the field, and Igbinoghene is the newest chess piece.

In his career so far, Igbinoghene has started five games, recording 23 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended. Yeah, his stats don’t just jump right off the screen, he’s not a DPOY candidate. But, he got better with age and depth is always important. He will have time to learn from the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Trevon Diggs, two of the top corners in the NFL.

Cowboys CB Noah Igbinoghene will get playing time in garbage time and a rotational role, as Jourdan Lewis and Eric Scott Jr. have a lock on their respective positions.

Instant Special Teams Starter

No matter how strong the coaches and front office are, a man can only watch so much bad football before he must make a business decision.

Kelvin Joseph’s defensive performance was atrocious, continuously getting cooked on the field and in training camp. However, his special teams play was serviceable and it looked as if something was there. He forced a fumble in the playoffs against the 49ers, turning heads in the process. While the field reeked of burnt toast in Joseph’s defensive starts, his special teams ability was helpful in 2023.

Noah Igbinoghene will now get a chance to fill Joseph’s special teams role.

The former Auburn Tiger’s 4.46 speed and former play at WR puts him near the front of the line for Special Teams. Pending the recent release of C.J. Goodwin and other notable special teamers, he will be out there sooner than later.

Look for Cowboys CB Noah Igbinoghene to be used heavily in John Fassel’s tricky special teams playbook.

Why It’s Going to Work

Take a look at some player names like Chris Westry and Michael Jackson.

No, not that Michael Jackson.

These two young players were both once in Dan Quinn’s defensive system, departed and bounced around, and are now playing serviceable football for other teams. Quinn is a defensive guru, and he can doctor a misused talent. The Cowboys have seen him mold defensive nobodies into key starting players. If Dallas remains patient and doesn’t find themselves needing to start Igbinoghene any time soon, this could work.

The fact of the matter is, that Igbinoghene is a ball of clay in the hands of a clay worker.

Cowboys CB Noah Igbinoghene is a physical player with good size, he is a day one special teams starter, and he’s under the care of a defensive wizard. Worst case scenario, Igbinoghene doesn’t see the field in 2023. The more likely scenario is he remains on special teams and rotates in whenever needed. CB Depth never seems to be deep enough, so Dallas will appreciate his availability and physicality.