Dallas Cowboys rookie cornerback Caelen Carson was a standout performer in Sunday's 33-17 Week 1 blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns. Carson earned the boundary start opposite Trevon Diggs because DaRon Bland is on IR with a fractured foot injury. The first-year cover man took full advantage of his opportunity.
The Cowboys did not have Diggs travel with Browns No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper, meaning the inexperienced rookie often lined up opposite a five-time Pro Bowl wideout. Cooper's presence didn't shake Carson.
Carson put the clamps on Cooper by allowing just two receptions on nine targets thrown in his direction for 16 yards. Carson also recorded two pass breakups when isolated against Cooper. It was an extremely impressive performance by the 175th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson routinely tested Carson, understandably so. On this pass breakup in particular, Carson flashes terrific click-and-close after recognizing the simple slant route by Cooper. Watson assumed having his superstar receiver singled up with a fifth-round rookie was a favorable matchup. He assumed wrong.
Caelen Carson puts 5x Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper in a seat belt on 2nd target of the contest:
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) September 9, 2024
Deshaun Watson tested the #Cowboys rookie again after the near pick-six, unconvinced he'd be a consistent factor (I'd have done the same). First read, quick fire to Cooper.
Carson… pic.twitter.com/9osP3ivI7d
Carson's performance received national praise from NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger. In the first clip in a montage posted by Baldinger, Carson showcases terrific confidence by trying to jump in front of a sideline route that ends up being a completed pass for a short gain. The third clip shows the former Wake Forest standout attached to Cooper's hip on a route into the end zone. Later, he nearly recorded his first career interception by being in perfect zone coverage that had him well-positioned to defend two nearby routes.
.@dallascowboys @walkinseatbelt 5th rounder wearing Primetime's number and striking like a cobra. Did the Cowboys do it again? This defense played at a different speed @WakeFB #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/FrTEeFkmoK
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 9, 2024
Carson officially played 60 snaps as the outside cornerback. He was Dallas' third-most snapped corner with Diggs (72) and nickel corner Jourdan Lewis (68) receiving slightly more work. Pro Football Focus had 49 of those snaps assigned as coverage responsibilities, with 11 qualifying as run defense assignments.
Carson officially allowed five receptions on nine targets for a 55.6% completion rate. The ex-Demon Deacon allowed 44 total receiving yards, with a long of 15 and 11 yards after the catch. Carson was in coverage on Jerry Jeudy's touchdown reception, arguably his lone misstep of the afternoon.
Watson had a passer rating of 105.8 when targeting Carson in coverage. Carson allowed just 8.8 yards per reception. Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is surely extremely pleased with the performance of his first-year corner versus a receiver room that features Cooper and Jeudy.
The Cowboys will take their seventh-ranked pass defense into their Week 2 matchup versus the New Orleans Saints, who exploded for 47 points against the Carolina Panthers. Zimmer should possess confidence in his secondary. Carson was a legitimate difference-maker as a rookie performer and a draft-weekend steal.
