Cowboys sign second-round pick Kelvin Joseph to rookie contract

For the second straight year, the Cowboys selected a cornerback in the second round. They came to terms with that draftee, Kelvin Joseph, on his rookie contract Thursday, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.

Joseph will be locked in through the 2024 season. The Kentucky product should be expected to contribute early on a retooled Cowboys defense, which now has Dan Quinn at the controls. The Cowboys went defense with their first six picks, which is understandable after the unit’s woeful 2020 showing.

Dallas gave up a franchise-record 473 points, which eclipsed the franchise’s previous high of 436 (in 2010). The Cowboys ranked 28th in scoring and 23rd in total defense. The team let Byron Jones walk in free agency last year and opted against re-signing Chidobe Awuzie in March. Awuzie is now with the Bengals. The Cowboys did bring back Jourdan Lewis, however, and will pair Joseph with 2020 second-round pick Trevon Diggs. Third-rounder Nahshon Wright joins Joseph as a Day 2 arrival who will attempt to carve out an early role in Dallas.

Joseph transferred from LSU to Kentucky, playing one season with the Wildcats. He made it count, intercepting four passes and taking one back for a touchdown. The 5-foot-11 defender only played 15 games in his college career, however. After playing in six for LSU as a true freshman in 2018, he transferred and sat out 2019.

Three Cowboy draft picks remain unsigned. All were chosen in the third round, which annually produces longer negotiations due to murkier CBA language regarding rookie contracts.