There were major concerns with the Dallas Cowboys secondary at this point in time just a year ago. Fortunately, things change quickly in the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys were pretty much able to upgrade the entire unit with younger and more talented players.
It looks as if the Cowboys could be set at the cornerback position heading into 2018, but it wouldn’t be all that surprising if they tried to add more depth. The safety position, on the other hand, could use an upgrade, but would the Cowboys rather do that through free agency or the draft?
Today, we’re going to look at a potential free agent prospect for the Cowboys.
I know a lot of Cowboys Nation would like to see Earl Thomas in a Cowboys uniform in 2018, but he is still technically under contract and there are a lot of things that would have to happen to even make that a possibility.
Instead, I want to take a look at someone who I believe could be a rising star at the free safety position.
Tre Boston (6’1″, 205, 25 years old) – Los Angeles Chargers
Tre Boston started his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, where he started four games as a true freshman at the cornerback position. He continued to play CB his sophomore year, but as a junior made the transition to free safety and earned Honorable mention All-ACC. He continued to play free safety his senior season and earned second-team All-ACC honors.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Tre Boston in the fourth round (128th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. Boston’s NFL career didn’t get off to the best start due to the fact he had to have sports hernia surgery just two months after being drafted. But, he ended up earning the starting position midway through the season.
Boston showed flashes of his playmaking ability during his three years with the Panthers, but they still decided to release him on May 2, 2017 before his fourth season with the organization could get underway.
On May 15, 2017, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Boston to a one-year, $900,000 contract.
He was mostly signed to compete and add depth to the safety position. He not only ended up earning the starting free safety gig, but would go on to have the best year of his career.
2017 stats: 15 starts, 79 tackles, 8 PBUs, 5 INTs
I believe Tre Boston could be exactly what the Dallas Cowboys need, and I think he would not only solidify the safety position, but upgrade the entire secondary.
Where Boston would help the Cowboys is as a single-high free safety. He’s a reliable finisher and has improved his instincts to diagnose, track the ball, and make a play down the field when needed.
These were all some of his negative traits coming out of college, but he has continued to progress since entering the NFL.
Currently, there are a lot of questions in regards to the Cowboy safety position. Jeff Heath was solid in his first year as a starter, but he would probably be better utilized in a reserve role and a core member on special teams.
Byron Jones has been serviceable, but the Cowboys can’t seem to figure out how to tap into his potential and have been playing him out of position. Signing Tre Boston might benefit him the most, and allow Jones to move back to cornerback.
Of course, when it comes to targeting any available free agent, it more times than not comes down to money. Tre Boston will be looking to cash in on the best season of his career and at just 25 years old, he should be entering his prime.
According to Sportrac.com, Tre Boston’s market value is a five-year, $41-million contract. That’s probably out of the Cowboys’ price range, but that’s just a guesstimate right now. Dallas could still choose to kick the tires and see what kind of contract could be worked out.
