We’re so busy talking about the Dallas Cowboys whose contracts are set to expire this month that we haven’t taken a look at those who are about to enter a contract year in 2020. A great example is Cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Taken in the third round, Lewis hasn’t had much of a chance of proving himself. Next season, though, that could change.

After Kris Richard’s arrival in Dallas, Lewis’ playing time surprisingly decreased. The young cornerback had been showing a good level of football, but his size didn’t fit what Richard wanted in his cornerbacks. While the secondary coach successfully turned Byron Jones’ career around, many in Cowboys Nation didn’t enjoy seeing him limit Jourdan Lewis.

However, Lewis saw a little bit more action as the 2019 season went on. He played in 55% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps. In the final weeks of the season though, it’s clear his participation increased in drastic fashion. In the last six weeks, he played an average of 80% of the snaps per game.

He played well and proved once again he can be an important piece of the Dallas secondary in the upcoming season. If Byron Jones ends up leaving the Cowboys this free agency, Lewis will likely be a starter in week 1.

While we’re excited about his future, it’s also fair to acknowledge we haven’t seen Lewis in a starting role during an extended period of time. However, he has a chance to prove something special this year.

Jones will likely be gone, and the Cowboys need someone to step up in the secondary. However, if he does, it’ll be a similar situation for the front office a year from now. Both Chidobe Awuzie and Lewis will head into free agency in 2021. It’s a big year for the defensive backfield.

In the meantime, let’s see what Lewis has in store for us in 2020. Can he shine with his athleticism consistently enough to be a starter in the NFL? We’ll know the answer by the end of this season.