Let's make a comparison between a #1 pick in the 1992 draft, CB Kevin Smith out of Tex A & M and Shavon Revel, a claimed first round talent taken in the 2025 draft in the 3rd round due to a knee injury.
Kevin Smith was a speedy CB who holds A & M's all-time interception record, a three year starter, 1st team All American in 1991, 20 career interceptions in 3 college years and was a great punt returner. This was described about him: "Exceptional speed and great ball instincts allowed Kevin Smith to control the perimeter, helping Texas A&M lead the nation in total defense in 1991." He was named the Nation's Top Defensive Back in 1991 and was a semifinalist for Defensive Player of the Year and the Thorpe Award. He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. He started three full years.
He was drafted by Jimmy Johnson, # 17 in the 1st round. Ahead of him was veteran holdover Isaac Holt, who had come from the Vikings in the Herschel Walker trade, but who lost speed and flexibility.
Jimmy Johnson did not throw Kevin Smith to the wolves as a rookie. He practiced against Michael Irvin, Alvin Harper and Kelvin Martin. After 10 weeks of of the season, Jimmy believed that Kevin Smith was ready. He inserted him at the LCB position. He was like glue to opposing receivers. He had tremendous catch up speed. He played to a very high level, including in the victorious Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills' potent offense.
This is the way you bring along certain rookies, not throw them immediately onto the field as starters. This is even though Kevin Smith was a national superstar and well worthy and well-earned as a #1 pick for the rising Jimmy Johnson squad
Shavon Revel had only 15 career starts at East Carolina, hardly a major football team. He is recovering from major surgery. He has been thrown to the wolves as soon as he was medically cleared to play in a game because the Boys' CB play has been terrible. Revel may have great size and good coverage skills, but he is greatly inexperienced. In the old days, he may not have played for two years, just being used on special teams. Many rookie CB's are made to look like fools in their first year when they are thrown to the wolves.
Everson Walls and Daron Bland are the exceptions as rookies who excelled in their first years.
Revel needs a lot more seasoning, as he is very inexperienced.
Touting him as some CB savior this year is unearned, unjustified. 15 college starts is nothing!
He follows in a long line of high Cowboys' draft picks of players who were injured, Bruce Carter, Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith.
It is no secret that in the 2021 draft, the Boys targeted CB Pat Surtain and not LB Micah Parsons. Surtain was a multi-year starter for Alabama and the son of a former All-Pro CB. He has become one of the NFL's best. Top corners are usually found in the first two rounds.
In the 1992 draft, the Boys had two #1's and two #2's. Out of these 4 picks, Jimmy Johnson needed DB's, selecting Kevin Smith with their first #1, Darren Woodson in the second round and failed CB Clayton Holmes in the 3rd round. With no 2nd and 3rd round picks this year, it will be hard to grab a top corner when a full-sized DE and LB are needed even more.
