The NFL combine is all about putting your best foot forward during the week-long “ultimate job interview.” Clemson CB Avion Terrell is doing everything he can to help the teams realize his potential. Scouts widely regard Terrell as a versatile cornerback with inside-out flexibility. And he made sure that everyone knew about it.

“When you’re inside, you’re just more in the box; you’re more around the field,” Terrell said during the NFL combine media availability. “But I feel comfortable with both. Can play both if I go outside. I don’t feel uncomfortable going inside. I feel comfortable just being able to do both.”

While this remains open for all the other NFL teams, the Dallas Cowboys are showing some interest in the Clemson CB. During the media availability, Terrell says that he had a formal meeting with the Cowboys at the Combine. 

Many analysts widely expect the Cowboys to use at least one of their two first-round picks (No. 12 and No. 20) on a defensive back. Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) and PFF’s Wasserman have mocked Terrell to the Cowboys at pick No. 20 in February 2026. The discussion between the two parties was mainly about Terrell’s explosive nature and inside-out versatility.

Now, Terrell primarily played outside the box. He appeared in over 1,500 outside snaps compared to roughly 165 in the slot throughout his career. However, the 2025 season with the Tigers saw a change. This was mainly done to improve his prospects for the 2026 NFL draft. Scouts project him as a first-round pick because of his 180-pound frame. Adding more slot reps to his repertoire in 2025 opens the door for a transition inside at the next level.

That, in turn, would upgrade his strengths as a run defender. Terrell’s presence in the slot helped him record a career-high 3.0 sacks and a Clemson record 5 forced fumbles in 2025. He did that by aggressively attacking from the nickel position or crashing the box. For example, during Clemson’s 24-10 victory over Florida, Terrell recorded a career-high 2.0 sacks in the game.

He became the first Clemson defensive back in the Dabo Swinney era to record two sacks in a single game. That kind of single-game dominance is exactly what the Dallas Cowboys are searching for, especially after a season where their defense struggled mightily.

The Cowboys finished the 2025 season with the league’s worst passing defense while allowing a league-high 30.1 points per game. That’s why they desperately need a game-changer like Terrell. The new defensive coordinator, Christina Parker, is leaning heavily on the 3-4 base that morphs into nickel (4-2-5) and penny fronts.

And Parker explicitly demands that he needs someone who can be a “corner sometimes, a safety sometimes, and a backer sometimes.” Terrell fits that mold, plus there is a vacancy. Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones, admitted that the loss of veteran nickel Jourdan Lewis in 2025 “hurt more than they thought.” Upon his arrival, Terrell is projected as a “high-value movement piece” who could start at nickel on Day 1.

This will allow the Cowboys to keep DaRon Bland on the outside, where he is most effective as a ball hawk. Apart from him, the Cowboys are also monitoring Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Caleb Downs (Ohio State) as primary secondary targets in the first round. But let’s not worry; even if Avieon Terrell gets snubbed, he is not low on options. 

Other pro teams taking notes 

To put things into perspective, the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks are regarded as the most likely destination in recent mocks for Avieon Terrell. Mel Kiper Jr. and The Athletic both project Terrell to Seattle with the 32nd overall pick. Analysts view Terrell as a replacement for free agents Tariq Woolen and Josh Jobe. Apart from that, he also acts as a perfect complement to star cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

After that, PFF and The Sporting News frequently project Terrell to land for the Vikings in the first round (often at No. 18). And guess what? The same inside-out versatility is making Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores drool over him. Then there’s the New York Giants. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah named Terrell as the Giants’ second-round pick (No. 37).

Their sibling rival, the Jets, is also somewhat in the mix. Some pre-Combine projections link them to Terrell at No. 16 overall. It’s done to address needs in the secondary and to add depth to the defensive playmaking. Lastly, projections place the Philadelphia Eagles as a Day 2 target who could allow Cooper DeJean to move to the outside by taking over slot duties.