Cowboys On 'Lockdown': Secondary Challenges QBs

The Dallas Cowboys allowed the eighth-fewest passing yards and intercepted the seventh-most passes in the NFL last season.

They have signed cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Malik Hooker to contract extensions, while trading for veteran Stephon Gilmore to play on the opposite side of the Cowboys' defensive formation. In addition to strong safeties Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson and the depth with cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis, DaRon Bland and Kelvin Joseph, who will opposing quarterbacks be able to throw at?

"It's hard to say because, like I said, just so many guys being so effective in other areas," Hooker said on "Cowboys StoryLine" Friday. "As well as Diggs and Gilly being out there lockdown, look at the inside, you tell me how many tight ends caught a lot of passes on JK being down in the box. So at this point, it's just like I said, pick your poison."

In over half of Dallas' 19 games, its defense held opposing quarterbacks to 200 passing yards or less and was 6-4 when doing so. Dallas was 7-2 with two overtime losses when allowing 200 passing yards or more.

Last season, Bland intercepted five passes, Diggs and Hooker picked off three and five others hauled in one a piece. Diggs, Bland and Kearse broke up 11, seven and five passes, respectively.

Hooker said the only pass opposing quarterbacks can throw is a jump ball with the depth and skill the Cowboys have in the secondary.

"We got so many guys,'' Hooker said, "capable of making an impactful play ... That we're looking forward to."