The Dallas Cowboys cornerback position is interesting, with Byron Jones set to hit free agency in a few weeks. The five-year veteran and the club have reportedly agreed to part ways following some face-to-face meetings between the front office and Jones’ representatives at least week’s scouting combine.
Next month’s NFL Draft will provide an opportunity for the organization to augment and upgrade, of course, but the club doesn’t like entering April without at least a pencil-written depth chart built through free agency. Whether that means a high-priced starter or not will be determined, but a well-known name who is expected to command a hefty sum is now being linked to the Cowboys, former Bronco Chris Harris, Jr.
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, and first reported by Troy Renck of Denver 7, the Cowboys have expressed interest in the veteran corner.
Harris came into the NFL undrafted in 2011 out of Kansas but would perform well enough to be named to the Pro Football Writer’s Association (PFWA) All-Rookie team as well as receiving Breakout Player of the Year honors.
The best stretch of Harris’s career came from 2014-2018 when he made four Pro Bowls and named second-team All-Pro twice (2014, 2015) as well as first-team All-Pro (2016). In total, he’s registered 518 tackles, 20 interceptions, 90 passes defended, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and four defensive touchdowns during his nine-year career.
He’s coming off a pretty solid 2019 campaign with 56 tackles, six passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble. With Anthony Brown set to hit free agency in addition to Jones, and with the unsteady play of Chidobe Awuzie in 2019 it makes sense the Cowboys could be looking to augment the roster with a known name.
There is a small nugget to keep in mind, though, and that’s why he’s leaving Denver . . . money. Harris may be seeking a top cornerback deal. The Cowboys aren’t willing to break the bank for Jones, but if they did for Harris it would be a clear sign where they land in the debate about turnover importance for a corner. If they let a younger and better per-snap player in Jones walk, it would be because they prioritize the interception at a high level.
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