The Cowboys have traditionally gone into the regular season with four safeties, which has made it more puzzling why going into training camp, they only have three: Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier and Jeff Heath. Byron Jones, one of last year’s starting safeties, was switched back to his original corner spot. While that was a great move for the cornerback group, it created a huge hole at safety.
It seemed likely Dallas would sign one in free agency, but March came and went and the Cowboys didn’t sign one. Despite there being quality names available, the Cowboys chose not to try their hands.
The next logical step was to address the need in the draft. There were plenty of quality safeties, or even corners who could switch to the position. After 256 picks, Dallas had nine of their own. None of them were a safety.
It’s been reported that the team intends to add another safety at some point. There are a few routes the team can go, but it’s not just a matter of who the player is, but how the Cowboys get him.
Sign a Free Agent Safety
The team currently sits on about $8 million in cap space, which may not seem like much but might be enough to get a quality player for an agreeable price. The most frequently heard names are Eric Reid, Kenny Vaccaro and Tre Boston. All three all have plenty to offer, and would make the team’s depth better, and bring a sigh of relief going into the summer.
Eric Reid is the most talented of the bunch, who would actually come in and potentially be up for the starting spot. However, he is currently in the middle of a collusion case against the NFL, claiming he hasn’t been signed to a team as a result of his kneeling for the national anthem. Given this and Jerry Jones’s stance on the pregame kneeling, this isn’t a likely pairing.
Tre Boston had a great season in 2017, with five interceptions and eight passes deflected. It’s puzzling that he not only made it to free agency, but that he’s still available. He may be searching for a long-term deal after his one-year prove-it deal with the Chargers worked out so well. Tre Boston may have to wait and see if another team gets desperate.
Kenny Vaccaro makes plenty of sense. Not only did the Cowboys have interest in drafting Vaccaro back in the 2013 NFL Draft, but it was reported that the Cowboys tried to trade for him last season. His skills have diminished over the last few seasons, but he would be great in rotation. He probably isn’t a starter any more, but he’s only 27 and has plenty left to offer.
Position Switch
The Cowboys just got done with one position change with Byron Jones, but what if they want to switch another? While this seems like the unlikeliest scenario, it has been brought up that Chidobe Awuzie, last year’s second round pick, could play safety.
Chidobe Awuzie played fantastic once he was given the starting spot last season, and it looked as if he’s going to be the number one corner, but his tackling skills and ability to play all over may make him an option to switch to safety.
Truthfully, I think the Cowboys like a cornerback group featuring Awuzie, Byron Jones and Jourdan Lewis, lead by secondary coach, Kris Richard. I also know the Cowboys won’t be afraid to switch a player out of position if they feel it’s what’s best for the team and gives them the best chance to win. Don’t sleep on this option just yet.
Undrafted Free Agent
The Cowboys didn’t draft a single safety. However, they signed three undrafted free agents who all play the position: Kameron Kelly, Tyree Robinson and Kyle Queiro. One of the three have a great opportunity to make the team despite not being picked. This looks like the likeliest way the team will go.
Kameron Kelly was surprisingly not drafted out of San Diego State. He was expected to be a day three selection, or possibly go as high as the fourth round. He’s 6’2″ 205 pounds and has the flexibility to play both safety and corner. He plays well in coverage and is a solid tackler despite his lack of speed. Kelly looks like the possible favorite to take the fourth spot.
Tyree Robinson is like Kameron Kelly in size. He’s 6’3″ 200 pounds out of Oregon. He’s not the greatest tackler, but plays well in zone coverage. He has the size you want in a safety, but he needs a bit more developing before he’s ready, and is likely to be a practice squad player.
Kyle Queiro comes from Northwestern and plays like a linebacker. He’s 6’3″ 220 pounds, and has played both the up and down safety spots. His skills are much like Kavon Frazier, and he’s like a new type of safety/linebacker hybrid such as Mark Barron or Deone Bucannon. He plays well in zone coverage, but is not as refined in man like Kameron Kelly. If he doesn’t make the transition to safety, he looks like he could be a good linebacker project.
Trade
Finally, what you’ve probably been waiting for me to get to — the Earl Thomas to Dallas scenario is probably never going to be dropped until both sides definitively say it’s not happening. However, it almost makes too much sense to NOT do it.
In 2019, Earl Thomas will be a free agent, and at that point he can go to Dallas of his own free will. Seattle would lose him for nothing. Earl Thomas has made clear his love for the Seahawks but would also love to play for his favorite team growing up. If the Seahawks want to avoid losing Thomas for nothing, they need to trade him this year.
If the Cowboys are able to trade for Thomas, they would have to give up either a reasonably high draft pick, like a third, or a late round pick plus a player Seattle is interested in. This is most Cowboys fans’ favorite possibility, and would be a great add for Dallas.
Thomas will be 30 next May, and there’s no telling what his value is. He was an All-Pro a season ago, so his skills haven’t diminished and his price hasn’t been affected. If an Earl Thomas trade can happen, it should happen. The Seahawks need to get younger and save some money, and the Cowboys have a squad that’s ready to compete now. This might not be the likeliest way to go, but it would be the best.
