When the Dallas Cowboys signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix this offseason the hope was they were getting a starting caliber player. Sadly, he ended up being nothing more than a short-term camp body who ended up getting released yesterday. Without Clinton-Dix in the mix any longer, the Cowboys depth at safety becomes even more cloudy.
I don't know about you, but I have a hard time visualizing what the Dallas Cowboys are planning to do in regards to their safety position in 2020. As things stand right now, they have very little starting experience at the position. Xavier Woods, Darian Thompson, and Daryl Worley are the only ones with starting experience at safety in the NFL. That's it!!!
Unfortunately, Xavier Woods is a little banged up at the time after sustaining a groin strain in last Sunday's scrimmage. That kind of puts his availability for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams in doubt. That would just leave Darian Thompson, Daryl Worley, and second-year S Donovan Wilson as the most logical options to open up the season as the starting safeties for the Cowboys.
Are you getting worried yet? I know I am.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if the Cowboys have much of a plan in regards to their safety position this season. The only thing we really know for sure is Xavier Woods will start when he's healthy, but other than that nothing is guaranteed. Darian Thompson has supposedly emerged as a favorite to start, however, he's been with the Cowboys a few seasons now and couldn't outplay Jeff Heath.
Then of course you have someone like Reggie Robinson, who the Dallas Cowboys drafted in the fourth-round this year. They've been experimenting with him at both safety and cornerback. It's hard to believe he will be anything more than an emergency fill-in though as a rookie. There is hope he can become a starting caliber player in time, but that's little to no help this year.
While the Dallas Cowboys throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, there is a logical solution sitting out there on the open market who could come in and not only upgrade, but solidify the safety position as well… Earl Thomas. Surprisingly though, there seems to be little interest in going that route right now.
Tossing out the idea of adding Earl Thomas, it certainly looks like Xavier Woods and Darian Thompson will be the starting safeties for the Dallas Cowboys this season. I have no problems with Woods as a starter, but I have my doubts about Thompson. Again, after not being able to overtake Jeff Heath the past few seasons it looks like he's starting out of necessity rather than talent.
I sure hope I'm wrong and the Dallas Cowboys do have something up their sleeve in regards to the safety position, but I for one am having a hard time visualizing it. Only time will tell, but whatever they decide to do between now and the start of the 2020 season could determine the amount of success or failure they have this year.
