When the Cowboys selected Caelen Carson in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, fans and draftniks alike declared it a steal. The cornerback out of Wake Forest looked like a well-rounded prospect capable of fitting any system and serving any role. As a jack-of-all-trades he didn’t come with an obvious Pro Bowl skillset, but he brought starting ability which is pretty impressive two rounds into Day 3 of the draft.

Like many rookie CBs, Carson struggles with consistency. He sprinkles in missed tackles with made tackles and good coverage with bad coverage. All of that is perfectly forgivable for a player as green as Carson but one fatal flaw threatens everything: ball tracking.

On at least two occasions on Sunday, Carson had an opportunity for an easy interception. Underthrown passes were there for the taking if only Carson would have just turned his head to locate the ball.

Against the Eagles in Week 10, Carson was frequently targeted by Jalen Hurts. Before getting replaced late, Carson gave up five receptions off seven targets. The 108 yards given up by him were 66 more than the next closest Cowboy. It was Carson’s lowest graded day as a pro and a clear setback in his once-exciting trajectory.

Ball tracking is far easier said than done and despite many players’ best intensions, some CBs never develop the ability turn and track. It’s this aspect of the game that could make or break Carson in the NFL.

Keep in mind, even when in good position and step for step with his assignment, Hurts showed zero hesitation letting loose and airmailing a ball in Carson’s direction. Without showing he could turn and track, the rookie wasn’t a threat to ever put those passes in jeopardy. It offered consequence-free passing and made him a frequent target all afternoon.

Carson’s current game is the antithesis of what Trevon Diggs offers at the position. QBs are forced to second guess their decisions throwing Diggs’ way because what he lacks in tight coverage, he makes up for in generational ball skills. He offered proof of this when he made a jaw-dropping interception in the endzone on Sunday. It makes him an asset for Dallas even when he’s not playing the crispest game.

If Carson can’t develop the ability to turn and track, he may be resigned to a supporting role in zone schemes. That’s not the worst thing in the world but it pigeonholes a player who was once touted for his versatility and flexibility.

10 weeks into his rookie season and Carson has struggled to live up to the draft day hype.  Injuries have relegated the 22-year-old to just five games this year and the action he has seen has been unconvincing and uninspiring for those who once declared him the Cowboys’ steal of the draft.

The good news is Carson was thrown into the fire way before any Day 3 prospect should be.  If it wasn’t for a preseason injury to DaRon Bland, Carson would have had a much different start to his career. There is still plenty of time for development and that starts with building confidence and playing to his strengths.

Pushing Carson back down to CB4 might be the best way to handle this situation because it would allow Mike Zimmer to use him more in Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone situations and less in those pesky Cover 1 looks that asks him to man up. Based on his Week 10 game, he needs steppingstones so he can build his confidence.

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