You can put your money on one thing every season, Dallas Cowboys fans screaming at the top of their lungs at the organization to address the safety position. The Cowboys brought back Darian Thompson earlier this week to add a little depth, however, a potential starter got inked by America’s Team just last night.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and the Cowboys agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth four million (2.5 million guaranteed) according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater.
Dix has been in the league since 2014 after the Green Bay Packers selected him with the 21st overall pick, who were led by new Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy. Over the next five seasons, he would tally 14 interceptions, including a career-high five during his breakout season in 2016 when he made the Pro Bowl and was a Second-Team All-Pro.
His days on Lambeau Field came to an in October of 2018 when he was traded to the Washington Redskins for a fourth-round pick. In March of 2019, Dix signed a one-year 5.5 million dollar deal with the Chicago Bears where he compiled 78 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.
The addition of Dix does several things for the Cowboys. The first is obvious, it adds depth to a much-needed position, especially with long-time starter Jeff Heath signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. It gives the Cowboys their potential starter for 2020 opposite Xavier Woods, who’s coming off a solid 2019 campaign. Also, it provides the team the chance to take the best player available in the draft instead of possibly reaching for safety, although, if a player such as Alabama’s Xavier McKinney is sitting there you pull the trigger. Other options like Southern Illinois’s Jeremy Chinn and Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr will also be in play.
What this would mean is the Cowboys not only got Dix for cheap but they were able to add another young safety to develop along with 2019 sixth-round pick Donovan Wilson. Smart business if you ask me.
As mentioned earlier, 14 of Dix’s 16 career interceptions came playing under McCarthy in Green Bay, which gives encouragement that he’ll know how to implement him into Mike Nolan’s defensive philosophy. He may not be looked at as the long-term answer, but he provides some stability at safety.
However, if he does play well next season, the Cowboys could bring him back considering his price tag wouldn’t be high and squeeze some more valuable years out of him when you factor in that he’s only 27 years old.
This was a solid and low-cost addition in an already business free agency period for the Cowboys.
