Dallas Cowboys 2025 UDFA scouting report: DB Zion Childress

Here is our report on defensive back Zion Childress

We begin looking into this year’s undrafted free agent signings made by the Dallas Cowboys and give you our scouting report on each player. Today we are looking at defensive back Zion Childress from Kentucky.

Zion Childress

S
Kentucky Wildcats
Senior
3-star recruit
6’0”
195 lbs

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

History

Zion Childress showcased exceptional dual-threat capabilities as a quarterback at New Caney High School. In the 2019 season, he amassed 656 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 62 carries. Through the air, he completed 29 of 52 passes for 672 yards, throwing eight touchdowns with four interceptions. This would earn him a three-star recruit rating and would join Texas State in 2020.

Childress made an immediate impact as a freshman safety, participating in all 12 games. He recorded 61 total tackles along with one tackle for loss and four pass deflections.

Continuing his upward trajectory, Childress again played in all 12 games, increasing his tackle count to 74 total tackles. He added two tackles for loss, one interception, five pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Childress felt he had established himself as a standout defensive back at Texas State, but he felt the need to step out of his comfort zone and grow further as a player. He expressed that he was “getting very comfortable” at Texas State and sought to “challenge himself”, indicating his motivation to push the boundaries and develop his skills in a more demanding environment. Upon entering the transfer portal, Childress received interest from several programs, including TCU and Washington, but ultimately chose Kentucky.

After transferring to Kentucky, Childress appeared in 13 games. He contributed 34 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and three pass deflections.

In the 2023 season, Childress maintained a strong presence on the field with 13 game appearances. He tallied 59 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three pass deflections, and recovered one fumble.

In the 2024 season, Childress played in 12 games, recording 55 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two pass deflections, and one forced fumbles.

2024 Statistics

608 Defensive Snaps
274 Coverage Snaps
55 Total Tackles
6 TFL
1 Sack
2 Pass Breakups
1 Forced Fumble
118.6 Passer Rating Allowed
77% Completion Rate Allowed
1 Penalty

NFL Combine/Pro Day

Shuttle- 4.35s (48%)
3C- 7.08s (60%)

Awards

N/A

Scorecard

Speed- 72
Acceleration- 77
Agility- 62
Strength- 79
Tackling- 64
Run Defense- 62
Zone Coverage- 76
Man Coverage- 65
Press- 58
Discipline- 90

THE GOOD

• Has the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary from safety, nickel back, and even boundary corner.
• His high school quarterback experience has gifted him with high football IQ and an advanced understanding of offensive schemes.
• Known for setting the tone in the secondary and locker room with his leadership.
• Reliable wrap-up tackler who rarely misses in space.
• Willing to play downhill and support the run defense, especially from the nickel or box.
• Smart zone defender who maintains depth and spacing with good awareness of crossing routes.
• High-effort player with experience on special teams units.

THE BAD

• Needs to convert more plays on the ball and doesn’t consistently finish at the catch point.
• Below average top-end speed and burst, which may be exposed in man coverage against elite slot receivers.
• Recovery speed is poor, which limits upside in deep coverage roles.
• Solidly built but not overly long or explosive. Struggles against bigger tight ends.
• Footwork can be a bit clunky in transition out of backpedal, particularly when flipping hips in man coverage.
• Can be late reacting to double moves or sharp route breaks.

THE FIT

Zion Childress is a versatile and intelligent defensive back with extensive collegiate experience. His background as a high school quarterback gives him a high football IQ and a strong understanding of offensive concepts, which enhances his play recognition and positioning in zone coverage. He has proven himself as a dependable tackler, consistently contributing in run support with physicality and discipline. His ability to play multiple positions (free safety, strong safety, and nickel) adds significant value to his profile. His leadership qualities are also noteworthy, having served as a team captain and earned the trust of coaching staffs.

Despite his experience, Childress lacks high-end athletic traits that might limit his upside at the next level. He does not possess good speed or sudden burst, which can be problematic in man coverage. In coverage, he can be slow to transition out of his backpedal and occasionally struggles to mirror sharp route breaks, particularly against shiftier slot receivers. Physically he lacks the ideal size or length to consistently match up with NFL tight ends in coverage. These limitations suggest his best path to a long-term roster spot may come through special teams.

Childress fits well with what the Dallas Cowboys value in their depth defensive backs: versatility, toughness, and special teams reliability. Childress’s ability to play multiple roles, especially in the box or as a nickel safety, makes him a strong schematic fit and predicting what the position holds in the future. With questions surrounding depth behind Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker, there’s a small opening for a physical, assignment-sound player like Childress to push for a role in sub-packages, maybe as a dime linebacker or third safety in three-safety looks. His leadership and football IQ also align with the locker room culture Dallas is trying to reinforce this season.

Best case scenario for him this year is to grab a practice squad position and develop athletically for next season, when the safety position will be looking to make changes.

COMPARISON:

Amani Hooker, Tennessee Titans

BTB GRADE:

489th

CONSENSUS RANKING:

468th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)