One of the biggest disappointments about the Dallas Cowboys 2019 draft class was the fact they failed to upgrade the safety position. It was viewed by the majority of Cowboys Nation as a “need”, but the Cowboys coaching staff obviously thought otherwise. The chance to upgrade the position through the draft may have passed them by, but that’s not the only way to acquire talent.
The Dallas Cowboys proved last year how the right trade to can dramatically upgrade the roster after they acquired Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders. Trades like this rarely pay off as well as Cooper’s did, but after last seasons success the Cowboys could go this direction once again to upgrade their safety position.
Teams around the league are going to have to make some tough decisions about some of their veteran players because of the incoming rookies they are adding to their roster. This could work out in the Cowboys favor, because I believe there are a couple of talented safeties who could be put on the trade block any day now.
Let’s take a look…
Vonn Bell, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints added not one, but two rookie safeties through the 2019 draft in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Saquan Hampton. Both players have the talent to start as rookies, which should shake things up quite a bit for the Saints at the safety position. This could make either Marcus Williams or Vonn Bell expendable, and if that’s the case, the Dallas Cowboys should pounce at the opportunity to acquire either player.
Marcus Williams is coming off a down year after his second-season with the Saints, but I highly doubt they are ready to give up on him as of yet. Vonn Bell on the other hand is entering the final year of his rookie contract and may not have a future beyond this season in New Orleans. This could put him on the trade block, making him a possibility for the Cowboys.
Trading for Vonn Bell is a bit tricky though. It would basically be a one-year rental unless the Cowboys believe he is the future at the position. In that case, they would not only have to decide on the right trade compensation with the Saints, but also figure out what it would take to lock him up long-term. It’s basically the same thing Dallas had in mind last year when trading for Amari Cooper. It’s certainly doable, but probably a long shot.
Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders
You may have forgotten, but Amari Cooper wasn’t the only the trade the Dallas Cowboys made with the Oakland Raiders last year. They also acquired Jamize Olawale and Jihad Ward last season and could return to the scene of the crime in the hopes of upgrading their safety position in 2019. The player they would be targeting… former West Virginia Safety Karl Joseph.
The Oakland Raiders signed Lamarcus Joyner to a $42 million contract this offseason and further upgraded the safety position when they drafted Johnathan Abram out of Mississippi State with one of their three first-round draft picks. This could ultimately seal Joseph’s fate with the Raiders, especially since he was rumored to be on the trade block last season with Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack.
Unlike Vonn Bell, the Cowboys could essentially get two years out of Karl Joseph. He is in the last year of his rookie contract, but as a former first-round pick the fifth-year option could be applied. Joseph would likely be an upgrade next to Xavier Woods in Dallas, but probably nothing more than a role player it with the Raiders. This trade is much more doable and could end up benefiting both organizations. Maybe swap La’el Collins, who looks to be expendable, straight up for Karl Joseph? Sounds like a win-win to me.
I like bother Bell and Joseph but at this point, I view Collins as a better OL than Joseph is a safety so I think that would be inequitable. But it depends on how those two teams view their respective players. That being said, there is an important date coming up on May 7th and that is the date where free agents will no longer count against the comp pick formula. That is why there are still key free agents out there. Tre Boston and Eric Berry highlight the list of available safeties. Boston may be a better fit as SS since Woods plays FS but there has been discussion of Woods at SS if they brought in a FA FS. So something or nothing could happen after May 7. Last year it was stated by a Jones that Boston was not a fit but we shall see!
Why is Darian Thompson on the team? He was a third round pick by the Gnats several years ago. He also had 19 interceptions at BSU. Maybe he is on the team because they need 53 players?
I think Eric Berry is done from the physical standpoint.
I actually really liked Darian Thompson when he was coming out of Boise State. Unfortunately, he hasn’t really lived up to my or anyone else’s expectations. But, the Cowboys must see something in him otherwise they wouldn’t have brought him back. Regardless, he’s a longshot to make the team
I honestly have a hard time seeing the Cowboys add another safety. I think they are comfortable with what they have on the roster. I wouldn’t rule anything out though.
If Raiders traded Joseph for Lael they would have to throw in a player or draft pick. For example, Lael for Joseph + 6th or 7th rounder. But Dallas could throw in one of our safeties like Iloka and up that draft pick from Raider or get a player we already know and have experience with. Lael + Iloka for Joseph + Linebacker Kyle Wilber or Joseph + 4th or 5th round pick
Vonn Bell we could trade a variety of different guys, obviously Lael Collins, but Saints may also prefer Maliek Collins, Taco Charlton, Jourdan Lewis, Dalton Schultz, or just a draft pick. Lael Collins, Maliek Collins, Taco Charlton most likely all will be gone after this season, so why not trade one for a starting safety that has few years of real playoff experience as well as familiarity with NFC teams already? Its a win-win for either safety, also it gives a young starter to pair with Woods so the 2 safeties can start building chemistry because they would be playing together for many seasons to come
Glad to see you be much more realistic about the value of La’el Collins. It wasn’t long ago you thought we could get a first round pick for him. Joseph for Collins is possible.
Jeff you’re not supposed to remember things like that ha ha. I never really thought it was realistic to get a first-round pick for Collins, but it sounded good.
Ha! No matter what, giving our 1st for Amari Cooper was a steal. He’s still only 24 years old.
Isn’t Eric Berry still available? Not a word has been mentioned of him ever since he visited the Cowboys. I’m thinking he could probably be had for cheap at this point. Give him one of their patented 1 year prove it deals to see if he still has anything left and can stay healthy. He’ll either upgrade the safety spot dramatically or it’ll buy them another year to address the position in the draft, AGAIN.
I had thought about Eric Berry after the draft as well, but I don’t think the Cowboys were impressed when he came in for a visit. Barring a trade, I think they will probably just go with what they currently have on the roster.
Yes but hes almost 30, got injury problems, Bell & Joseph are both really young with tons of potential and can grow with Woods for many years to come. We could get either guy for a guy with an expiring contract & save money towards Salary cap as well in the process….
The way the front office basically ignored the safety position at least when it was possible to grab one w/ a chance at contributing this year I am almost certain Dallas has a trick up their sleeve already in place. I believe it is May 12th that the formula for picking compensatory picks for next year has it’s parameters and the Cowboys will be free to add another player of any caliber and not risk losing that draft pick. I could even see Dallas make another significant run in free agency and maybe even grab a 1-tech for the D-line. It’s just over a week and if I’m right it should happen rather fast.
I would absolutely love to get either one of these guys. Raiders just announced they will NOT pick up Karl Josephs 5th year option meaning hes a free agent after the season. Being that we cant afford to resign Lael Collins after the season unless we released Tyrone Crawford and someone else. Instead of just settling for a comp pick for Collins why not trade for Joseph? First off we would save 4.8 million just by trading Lael for Joseph. Then Raiders would have to sweeten the deal to get Collins, so they would have to add a draft pick. Dallas could throw in Iloka, Frazier, Daniel Ross or someone we wont need. So instead of Raiders just throwing in a 6th or 7th rounder with Joseph, we could trade Lael + Iloka for Joseph + 4th or 5th rounder.
If we trade for Bell from Saints, it doesnt mean they would want Lael Collins, Saints may want one of our many D-Lineman, corner, safety, receiver, tight end…. They may want Maliek Collins, Jourdan Lewis, Taco Charlton, Iloka + draft pick, Dalton Schultz or Lael Collins. I would be fine trading almost any of these guys for Bell. I think Bell may be better than Joseph & have bigger upside in potential especially being that hes familiar with NFC teams & has playoff experience already. Trading Lael, Maliek, Taco or even Lewis is a win-win trade for us especially being that Taco is unproven, Lewis may not stick around if we resign Anthony Brown, Maliek Collins and Lael Collins most likely will not be resigned after this year. Saints drafted CGJ so unless they want insurance in case CGJ or Williams gets injured I dont see why they would want to keep him when they could get a starting caliber player in return for Bell. Also, they have Chris Banjo as well as a backup safety so they would be fine if they lost Bell. Dallas could even include Iloka, Frazier, Thompson, Decoud in the deal for them
Who does everyone here prefer of the two? Joseph or Bell??????
Michael Jackson may also be learning/competing at safety position and Chris Westry could be our 5th corner on the roster. Jackson can definitely learn and become a safety, he has the skill set and would be great at safety with his size and athleticism