The Dallas Cowboys are currently thin on the backend of their defense, better known as the safety position. They may not admit to it, but we all know it and they know it as well. But, even though they don’t have the depth many of us would prefer, things might not be as bleak as it looks from the outside looking in.
If the season were to start today, we would probably see Jeff Heath reprise his starting role and either Xavier Woods or Kavon Frazier lining up next to him. I don’t know if that would be considered an upgrade from last season or a downgrade. There is just too much unknown right now.
Personally, the Cowboys current safety depth is the most concerning position on the roster right now for me. What if something were to happen to one of those three safeties (Heath, Woods, Frazier)? That would deplete the already thin depth even more and severely handicap the entire defense.
You concerned yet?
The Cowboys speak highly of the current safeties, but that could be just smoke and mirrors. Of course, they could be willing to roll the dice because they know they have someone who can fill in in an emergency situation if needed.
Yes, I’m talking about Byron Jones. The same player many Cowboys fans have wanted to completely wash their hands of. He may not be the player he was hyped up to be as a first-round draft pick in 2015, but he does have starting experience at safety and didn’t perform too poorly during his time there. In fact, I thought he played pretty well.
It’s old news now, but when Kris Richard was hired, the first decision he made was to move Byron Jones back to cornerback. Richard likes the taller/longer limbed CBs in his secondary, and Jones fits the bill to a T. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean Jones won’t be utilized in other areas of the secondary in 2018.
The Dallas Cowboys are fortunate enough to have some really good young cornerbacks on their roster. Chidobe Awuzie looks like a star in the making and could be a favorite to earn his first Pro Bowl bid this season. Jourdan Lewis didn’t look out of place last year either and is more than capable of starting on the outside in the NFL. And, let’s not forget about Anthony Brown, who has started for the Cowboys as well.
I believe it’s the Cowboys depth at the CB position which could make them feel more comfortable about rolling the dice with how thin they are at the safety position. Byron Jones’ versatility to play several positions in the secondary could come in real handy this season.
Luckily for the Cowboys, Byron Jones is still under contract for at least a few more seasons while they figure all of this out. Without him, I think they could be in real trouble if an unfortunate injury were to occur.
so so SO sick of this tired meme @ the insufficient Safety situation. Yes, Xavier Woods and Kavon Frasier are relatively unproven but at some point you roll with youth and athleticism. You think any retread Kenny Vacarro FA safety is better? No, we have these guys, Heath who is a competent box SS and…Byron Jones? Okay. I realize TE, WR and Safety are relatively unproven but this team turned over most of its roster in the past 3-4 years while remaining competitive. I love the increase in talent making our roster one of the youngest while adding depth and breadth from a competition standpoint. Gone are the days when players who make our roster couldn’t start for many other teams, so that now guys that might note make our 53-man will catch on and play for other teams. We will be fine at safety. You watch…with our D line, LB unit and CBs, this will be a solid top 10 D.
My only problem with the safety position is the depth. If someone were to get hurt, I think it would severely handicap the entire defense. I was just merely trying to point out that things might not look as bleak as a lot of people would like to believe because the Cowboy still have Byron Jones, who played better at safety than a lot of fans would like to believe.
Yes, granted healthy D line & improved LB play all should go well
But the NFL rarely excuses any one team of injury
However
The article is about (key word) an EMERGENCY backup player not if all goes well
I think that Byron jones is a good safety option (no pun intended) should heath, Woods or Frazier get hurt. As you mentioned, we have enough depth at CB that it wouldn’t hurt us so much. I agree that Byron did play well at his time as a safety but I have always thought he was better suited as a CB watching him his rookie year. While I worry about depth, I believe that woods and a combo of Frazier/heath might be good enough given the defense in front of them. I’ve read good things about Kam Kelly being a possible depth safety and even wonder if a guy like a Marquez white, who is big and has some talent, might be able to line up at safety in a pinch.
Thanks for commenting Nick. Marquez White is intriguing, but I think he’s probably going to stay at CB for now. I think that’s his best chance to make the team. Kam Kelly from what I’m hearing has been playing mostly CB as well, but his long-term future may be at safety.
Yea I agree, I know White fits coach Richards mold for long corner, but I can’t imagine him seeing the field with chido, Byron, jourdan, and Anthony brown in front of him. For the first time in a long time it’s nice to see a defense so young and potentially so talented. Amazing they were able to rebuild it with so much youth and talent so quickly.
Exact sentiments I’ve shared in posts prior to this article
Again
I agree
I agree also
I was going to repeat comments I’ve posted prior to this that would echo those posted here
I agree they know they can fall back to Byron Jones at safety
Chido & Wii’s also played a considerable amount at safety in college
Kam Kelly & the seemingly forgotten Marquez White also may be on the horizon especially with Coach Kris Richards in the mix
Heck, it really don’t feel like a crap shoot at all due to all this potential
Roll with it Big D
Early Jones showed a lot of promise but fell off in the last 2 years! I think a REAL pass rusher solves a lot of ills but this team seems about offense! I miss the DOOMSDAY defense of the past. if they draft well on the D it will solve most problems for the Cowboys. I am still not sure if Garret can handle clock management which is surprising for a coaches son and former QB!!!! Garret doesn’t seem capable of half time adjustments!!!!!!!!