How quickly is Kelvin Joseph starting for the Dallas Cowboys?

Kelvin Joseph got drafted in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys and could be an impact starter right away. After missing out on Jaycee Horn (No. 8 to Carolina) and Patrick Surtain II (No. 9 to Denver), Dallas hopes Joseph fills an immediate need at cornerback for Dallas in a position group that is desperately lacking depth.

Last year’s second-round rookie Trevon Diggs was thrust into the starting position after the departure of Byron Jones in the offseason and injuries to starters Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis. He ended up starting in 11 of the 12 games he played, finishing the season with three interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 49 solo tackles, second only to Jaylon Smith on the team.

Cowboys second-round pick CB Kelvin Joseph at today’s rookie minicamp practice

(Video: @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/2VGfW7c552

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 14, 2021

Joseph could be asked to come in and take the other starting outside corner spot, opposite Diggs. With Awuzie leaving for the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, and only Lewis and Brown on the depth chart signed as slot corners, Joseph’s skill set fits perfectly for the second boundary corner.

In a piece done by Bob Sturm of The Athletic, he conducts a deep analysis into Joseph and film from his lone season here at Kentucky. He brings up the reasons why Joseph transferred from LSU to Kentucky, and how some scouts had him ranked lower because of off-field concerns such as a disinterest in football or an over-interest in rapping.

This week's featured Cowboys draftee is Kelvin Joseph! I decided to try to calm everyone down – they picked a really strong corner here: https://t.co/5K2Y6ebKuz

— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) May 15, 2021

In the film, Joseph was mainly playing the outside corner in heavy Cover 3 schemes against Mississippi State, and then in man coverage following the receiver in motion against Tennessee. In both games, he was able to come away with an interception, and Sturm notices that, mentioning how he is always looking for the ball when he drops back in zone coverage, or when he lined up man-to-man against another receiver.

At the Cowboys rookie minicamp, Joseph is quickly adjusting to the NFL day-to-day, mentioning how he’s ready to help the Cowboys get to the Super Bowl, while also saying how going up against the Cowboys receiving core of Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup in practice is going to help him become a better corner. He also added that music is a hobby when asked about his rap career.

Kelvin Joseph, asked about his music career.

"I know the difference between my profession and my hobbies. Football is going to get me paid and change my family's life." He says he'll have more music coming one day, but right now "it's strictly business."

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) May 14, 2021

As long as the rookie sticks to his word, he can be an impact starter for the Dallas Cowboys from Week One.

[The Athletic]