NFL free agency is right around the corner. The Dallas Cowboys will be one of the most interesting teams to watch. They still need to find an anchor on the interior of the defensive line, another linebacker to combat their injuries at the position, as well as cornerback help with multiple players set to hit the market.
The safety position is another that the Cowboys need to address, which has been the case it seems like forever now. Last offseason, they attempted to fill the hole at strong safety with veteran Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Unfortunately, he was passed on the depth chart by Darian Thompson, and eventually second-year stud Donovan Wilson emerged as the Cowboy’s top option opposite Xavier Woods. With Woods set to be an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys need to consider all their options at free safety this offseason, and veteran Tre Boston should be on their radar.
Boston was released last week by the Carolina Panthers just one season into his three-year, $18 million dollar extension that he signed last March. He had some struggles in coverage but still had one of his best all-around seasons in 2020. He registered a career-high in tackles with 95 and fumble recoveries with two. Also, he added an interception, a forced fumble, and four passes defended.
He’s entering his eighth season in the NFL which means he won’t command a high salary on the open market and could be signed to a one-year prove to deal much like the aforementioned Clinton-Dix was last offseason.
If the Cowboys were to bring Boston aboard he wouldn’t be the long-term solution at free safety, meaning they would still need to address the position in the NFL draft in April. Prospects such as TCU’s Trevon Moehrig, Central Florida’s Richie Grant, and Florida State’s Hamsah Nasirildeen could be ideal candidates for the Cowboys to bring in to learn under a seasoned veteran like Boston.
Boston has been very reliable throughout his career having only missed eight games since entering the league in 2014. He’s not a game-changer by any means, but he would be a solid addition to play opposite Wilson and could mentor not only a rookie safety but the entire Cowboys secondary with his experience, seeing as he would be the elder statesman of the unit.
The Cowboys aren’t known to be big spenders in free agency which makes Boston such an intriguing option.
