Pro Football Focus (PFF) just released their secondary rankings for all 32 NFL teams, and to be honest, I don’t know whether or not I agree with where they have the Dallas Cowboys in the pecking order.
We all know that most rankings are loosely based on personal preference, but with PFF, they have a grading system that they use to provide a method to their madness. Personally, I’m not a big fan of PFF, or the work they do, but it’s still something quite a few people put stock into. That is why we are discussing it here today.
So, where exactly did PFF rank the Dallas Cowboys secondary amongst all 32 NFL teams?
17. Dallas Cowboys
Projected Starting Lineup:
Starting Cornerback: Chidobe Awuzie, 81.7 grade
Starting Safety: Jeff Heath, 80.8
Starting Safety: Xavier Woods, 78.8
Starting Cornerback: Byron Jones, 76.8
Nickel Cornerback: Jourdan Lewis, 79.6
I don’t know about you, but I think ranking the Dallas Cowboys Secondary 17th out of 32 teams seems a little bit low. I can understand their thinking considering three of those players were rookies last season, but all three of them did play really well in their first year in the league.
Maybe I’m just a little bit biased about how special I think this group could be in 2018. I’m expecting Awuzie, Woods, and Lewis to take a big step in their development entering their second year in the NFL. But that’s not all, I’m expecting big things from Byron Jones as well now that he’s making the move back to his more natural position.
I can understand PFF’s hesitancy to rank the Dallas Cowboys secondary any higher right now though. I guess going by their grading system alone that’s about where they should be. But, it doesn’t really take into account a players personal improvement, or how the defense improves around them.
In defense of PFF, they did have this to say about the Cowboys secondary:
“2017 was going to have some growing pains with this many youngsters as the Cowboys had in their secondary, while 2018 though offers much more promise. Rookies Woods, Awuzie, and Lewis all impressed when given a shot. If any or all improve on their rookie-season form, Dallas’ secondary could end up ranked much higher than 17th by the end of the season.”
That statement kinda covers PFF’s butts for ranking the Dallas Cowboys secondary 17th overall right now, but I still think 17 is a little low. But again, I’m probably a little biased here.
