Cowboys News: Schedule release, analysis rules the day

In this edition of Cowboys news and notes, everything you need to know about the Dallas Cowboys 2021 schedule.

The release of the schedule is one of the most important dates of the NFL offseason, as it is the first day that fans learn exactly where and when their favorite team will be in action. Early on schedule-release day it was revealed the Cowboys would travel to Tampa Bay to kick off the season on Thursday Night Football, in what is sure to be one of the most watched games of the year.

Dallas has a number of exciting matchups and high-profile games, as well as the usual lot against their NFC East rivals. On paper, the Cowboys have one of the easiest upcoming schedules in the entire league but things in this sport are never as easy as they seem. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Cowboys 2021 schedule, including analysis, reactions, odds, predictions, and more.

How sixth-round pick Israel Makuamu fits with the Cowboys

A quick analysis of how former South Carolina defensive back and Cowboys 6th-round pick Israel Makuamu fits with the club.

The Dallas Cowboys quest to fix the defense was readily apparent through draft weekend. The eighth and final defender selected was defensive back Israel Mukuamu in the sixth-round. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, the 21-year old played a variety of defensive back assignments in his time for the Gamecocks.

He’s an intriguing prospect who some saw going much earlier than where he was taken.

Dane Brugler’s Analysis: “When he stays in position, Mukuamu creates a sizeable shadow over wide receivers with the natural reflexes to disrupt passing lanes. Regardless if he plays corner or safety, false steps are rampant on film and his toughness doesn’t consistently match his imposing size. Overall, Mukuamu offers intriguing length, flexibility and ball skills, but he is a raw, traits-based prospect and his NFL position will depend on scheme, projecting as a press-man corner who can be a match-up defender.”

Mukuamu was born in Bossier City, Louisiana, where he would go on to play his high school football at Parkway High School. Mukuamu played his way into a 3-star evaluation as a safety recruit, and he received scholarship offers from multiple “powerhouse” programs. Mukuamu originally committed to Florida State, but after Jimbo Fisher left the program Mukuamu made the switch to South Carolina.

Mukuamu was a contributor in all three of his seasons in Columbia. As a sophomore Makuamu started 12 games (11 at CB and one at FS) and led the Gamecocks in interceptions (yes, that same Gamecock team that featured Jaycee Horn). His junior year the season was shortened du to the pandemic, but Makuamu once again led South Carolina in interceptions. However, he was also able to increasingly show off his versatility as a junior as he made three starts at free safety and two at cornerback.

After selecting Nahshon Wright with pick No. 99, the Dan Quinn war room influence was clear. Quinn had lanky defensive backs all over the field during his Super Bowl run with Seattle, and the stereotype of Quinn favoring those lengthy defenders seems to be holding true.

Despite primarily paying cornerback at South Carolina, Makuamu’s size and positional experience allow Dallas to have flexibility with how they employ the former Gamecock. According to Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones, Dallas already has a plan to move the massive defender to safety (via @GehlkenNFL).

The minute that Makuamu was selected by Dallas, some anticipated his future move to safety as the club had picked up two cornerbacks earlier in the draft (Kelvin Joseph and the aforementioned Wright) while they continued to ignore the safety spot all together, that is until they brought in Makuamu.

Like Wright and the majority of young defensive backs, Makuamu is expected to have an acclimation process before making a serious impact in the league. Nonetheless, Makuamu’s physical profile, experience at multiple positions on the back-end, coverage skills, and ability to contribute on special teams make the former Gamecock look like a potentially worthwhile sixth-round project for the defensive back needy Cowboys.

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ESPN’s Mel Kiper grades Cowboys draft below 9 other teams

Mel Kiper or ESPN gave out his yearly draft grades, find out his opinion on the Cowboys 11-man haul.

Despite the months of anticipation and preparation leading up to the three-day NFL draft, the event comes and goes in the blink of an eye. The ramifications of the results however live on for years to come.

It is extremely difficult to fully grade a draft pick in the days, or even months after, as the prospects are yet to play a snap of NFL football. That fact doesn’t deter the industry’s top experts, like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr, from handing out his annual draft grades for each franchise.

The Dallas Cowboys and their 11-man 2021 draft class (the Cowboys’ most picks made since 2009) received a “B” grade from Kiper, while nine clubs graded out higher from the longtime draft analyst. Nine other teams shared a similar mark.

“The Dallas defense was awful last season, even before Dak Prescott was lost for the year in Week 5. This couldn’t be another CeeDee Lamb situation, where they went with an offensive playmaker even with massive holes on the other side of the ball. They had to get the best defender on the board, ideally a cornerback. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, though, the top two corners went in the two picks before them at No. 10, so give them credit for trading back two spots, adding an extra third-rounder and still getting the guy they say they wanted all along.”

Many analysts thought highly of the Day 2 talent in this draft class, so the Cowboys moving from No. 10 to No. 12 to pick up an extra third round selection, while still getting the top ranked defender available, was a win in most draft expert’s eyes.

“The questions now are… where does Micah Parsons (12) fit, and what does it mean for 2018 first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch and 2016 second-rounder Jaylon Smith? I didn’t peg off-ball linebacker as a need for Dallas, but the organization didn’t draft Parsons to sit on the bench. So maybe it will move on from Vander Esch and plant Parsons at middle linebacker. He’ll improve a porous run defense; the Cowboys allowed a woeful 1,758 rushing yards before first contact last season, by far the most in the league. With Rashawn Slater still available, I thought he would have filled a need at guard. They added to the off-ball linebacker group on Day 3 with Jabril Cox (115), who has some coverage traits.”

An argument can be made against selecting an off-ball linebacker this high in a draft, but Parsons ceiling is tremendous and Kiper is right to think Parsons should immediately help with Dallas’ well-known problems with stopping the run.

Some, like Kiper, may not have thought linebacker was a pressing need in Dallas. However, when one considers Leighton Vander Esch’s injury history (plus the fact that he’s entering a contract year) combined with Jaylon Smith’s inconsistency, and it’s easy to see why the Cowboys were eager to add the former Penn State standout.

“The Cowboys continued their attempt to improve the defense on Day 2 and ended up using all five of their picks on defenders. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph (44) has lock-down traits, and the team will hope that he can make the same sort of impact that second-rounder Trevon Diggs did a year ago. Defensive linemen Osa Odighizuwa (75) and Chauncey Golston (84) were lower on my board, but they’ll help against the run.”

Following the first round trade back the Cowboys had four Day 2 selections that all went to defense. The club finally filled their biggest need with the selection of Kentucky’s Kelvin Joseph, a cornerback with first-round talent who slid due to character concerns.

“I had a late Day 3 grade on Nahshon Wright (99), but he’s a big 6-foot-3 corner who fits the mold of what new coordinator Dan Quinn likes outside. He’s quite confident in his skills, but I didn’t see an NFL starter on tape. Israel Mukuamu (227) is another tall corner, as Dallas showed its commitment to finding guys for Quinn. Simi Fehoko (179) has some speed for a 6-foot-4 wideout, though this team’s receiver room is crowded.”

The Cowboys finished off their draft in Day 3 with a number of high-upside picks. Dallas clearly wanted to add length on both sides of the ball and the club accomplished that goal.

“In total, the Cowboys added eight defenders in this class, though they reached for a couple of them. If Quinn’s corner picks work out, they could have a couple of steals.”

Other NFC East draft grades for those interested:

New York Giants: B+

Philadelphia Eagles: B+

Washington Football Team: B

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Cowboys News: Finding draft’s best edge prospect, Slater to follow Zack Martin?

The Dallas Cowboys will select the #10 overall pick next Friday, what position is most valued? Which players are in the conversation?

The Dallas Cowboys will have tough choices to make this year when the time starts for their first-round pick at #10. There have been plenty of mock drafts having the team pick cornerbacks, offensive lineman, and tight ends alike. While certain position groups, such as wide receivers, seem to be stacked with players like Cedrick Wilson signing their restricted tender, others still leave question marks. Which players are worth the discussions? Which players are sliding down the board?

One position being somewhat ignored, defensive end. The club has a sneaky need there but this is a down season for top-10 edge projections. Diving in to see who will turn out as the best of the class is more important than ever and the SackSEER study gives insight into who should get targeted.

Also discussed, what impressed Dallas about Zach Martin? Are other cornerbacks not named Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain II in play? How is CeeDee Lamb doing with training? All this and more below in the news for the day.

Cowboys need to consider guard as secondary position of need in 2021 draft

A discussion about the guard position for the Dallas Cowboys, and some draft candidates to consider.

The interior of the offensive line is one of the least talked about parts of an NFL roster, but the importance of solid play throughout the guard and center position cannot be overstated.

The Dallas Cowboys have been fortunate, having one of the best guards in NFL history over the last seven seasons in Zack Martin. However Martin faced the most serious injury of his career in 2020, and beyond Martin there are no sure things at the guard position in Dallas going forward. With that being said, should the Cowboys be considering adding a guard in the upcoming NFL draft?

Guards on the roster

AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth

Any discussions of the best guards in football has to begin with Martin somewhere near the top if not at the summit. The four-time All-Pro has been one of the most consistent lineman in the sport and should continue to preform at an elite level. Nevertheless, 2020 marked the first time when Martin had significant injury issues, as he played a career low 10 games after a calf strain ended his season early.

Martin is under contract through 2025 and will turn 31-years old during the upcoming season, but after a full offseason of recovery the former Notre Dame product should bounce back as one of the best guards in football.

While Martin should have the right side locked down, Connor Williams is may not be as secure on the left side.

The Cowboys had high expectations for Williams after drafting him out of Texas in the second round of the 2018 draft, but the former Longhorn has not quite lived up to said expectations.

Williams has improved each year, and he started all 16 games at left guard a season ago for Dallas, but the 23-year old is entering his last season under contract with the Cowboys. Overall, Williams is solid enough that the club doesn’t need to draft a immediate replacement, but with Williams’ impending free agency after next season the role will potentially be wide open.

Connor McGovern, a third-rounder from 2019, is also on the roster, but like Williams he hasn’t lived up to his Day Two draft capital yet. Injuries all along the line forced McGovern into his first snaps last year, and he would go on to start eight games, with the majority of those coming at right guard for the injured Martin.

If he cannot wrestle the starting job away in training camp, McGovern figures to be the top backup for both Martin and Williams.

After those three names, the Cowboys have just two other guards on the squad, Eric Smith and Adam Redmond. Both Smith and Redmond are on Reserve/Future contracts, and both deals expire after the 2021 season. Redmond has been with the Cowboys for four seasons now and could also backup the center spot, while Smith was signed to the practice squad in September of 2020.

All that leads to the following point, the Cowboys guards have little room for error or injury in 2021, as the club lacks depth with real experience. One impairment to either Martin or Williams, and Dallas will likely wish they had used some form of investment on the position. Plus, the majority of the guards on the roster (Williams, Redmond, and Smith) will see their contracts expire in just one year.

Potential draft targets

Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Aaron Banks (69). Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas’ defensive needs are well-known by football fans, and the club will likely use their most valuable draft capital on that side of the ball. However, there are a number of guards projected to go in the mid rounds of the draft that could serve as the top Cowboys backup in 2021, and move into a full-time role the following season, should Williams seek work elsewhere.

The following list of prospects comes from Dane Brugler’s draft guide, “The Beast,” and features five mid-round guards that are worth familiarizing yourself with incase the Cowboys also feel like they can upgrade their guard depth without sacrificing their top pick.

Wyatt Davis, Ohio State, projected round: 2-3

“Davis must play under control and improve his snap-to-snap consistency, but his forceful hands, powerful anchor and finishing skills are NFL-ready. He projects as a guard who will compete for immediate snaps.”

Deonte Brown, Alabama, projected round: 2-3

“Brown moves heavy and lacks great recovery quickness, but he boasts an instant anchor and the upper-body explosion to displace defenders. He won’t be a fit for every scheme, but he flashes Gabe Jackson-like potential if he trusts his technique and vision vs. NFL speed.”

Aaron Banks, Notre Dame, projected round: 3

“Banks needs to mature his hand placement and body posture to
match up with NFL defenders, but he has the massive size and brawling strength to be a square-dominating blocker and potential starter.”

Jackson Carman, Clemson, projected round: 3

“Carman isn’t ready for savvy NFL pass rushers and he is a much better run blocker than pass protector right now, but the physical ingredients are there for him to grow into an NFL starter (similar to Ereck Flowers). He projects best at guard in a power/gap scheme.”

Trey Smith, Tennessee, projected round: 3

“Smith has the size and talent to start in the NFL, but the sloppy
tendencies and streaky aggressiveness are red flags and there are potential lung-related health concerns. He projects as a high risk/reward potential starter in a power-based scheme.”

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Dane Brugler’s thoughts on Cowboys’ draft prospects for No. 10

An updated ranking of the top potential Cowboys prospects, from the Athletics’ Dane Brugler

The wait is almost over as the 2021 NFL draft is officially just three weeks away. As the grand event draws near, experts are fine tuning final grades and analysis of the latest batch of future NFL players.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic and one of the hosts of the Dallas Cowboys Draft Show, has become one of the most well-known and respected analysts in the scouting world. On Wednesday Brugler released his final rankings and analysis in his behemoth of a draft guide that NFL fans have come to anticipate annually.

Even though one must purchase a subscription to view the entire guide (available for a limited time at just $1 per month), the price is worth admission to fans itching for all the draft content they can handle. Brugler’s breakdown, titled, “The Beast,” feature’s information on over 600 prospects, including full scouting reports and positional rankings.

With the draft right around the corner and the majority of free agency out of the way, it is somewhat possible to narrow down what players a franchise will potentially have their eyes on, especially in the first night of the draft. With all that in mind, let’s take a look at Brugler’s latest rankings and analysis of some of the more likely first-round draft options for Dallas.

ESPN McShay’s latest 2-round mock nets Cowboys 2 premier SEC defenders

Breaking down the latest two-round mock draft from ESPN’s Todd McShay, which sees the Cowboys add Jaycee Horn and Christian Barmore.

Even though the Dallas Cowboys have signed or retained nine defensive players through the early portion of free agency, there is no denying the club can and will continue upgrading the unit that struggled so badly a year ago.

Luckily for Dallas, the NFL draft is right around the corner and could provide them with the defensive improvements they are still seeking. ESPN’s Todd McShay seems to think so as well, as his latest two-round mock draft forecasts the Cowboys to add two extremely talented defensive prospects.

Cowboys No. 10 overall pick: Jaycee Horn, CB

(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

“Jourdan Lewis is back in Dallas, but the Cowboys still want to upgrade the cornerback position opposite Trevon Diggs. Perhaps it’s Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, though his back procedure might cause concern. Instead, I’m tabbing Horn, a speedy and versatile press corner. The Cowboys gave up 34 passing touchdowns last season, so expect them to address that area here — unless they opt to help protect the $160 million man, QB Dak Prescott, with one of the class’ top tackles.” – McShay

Horn recently joined The Nosebleed Seats Podcast from 105.3 The Fan to discuss his future and the former Gamecock stated, “It would definitely be big to be drafted by the Cowboys,’ Horn said. ‘A team with a lot of history. But anywhere I go, I’ll be happy to suit up for that team.’

The son of ex-NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee has been in the consensus of top cornerbacks for months now, and after an impressive pro day the All-SEC talent is steadily working his way up draft boards.

Alabama corner Patrick Surtain II is arguably the most commonly predicted player to be added by Dallas, but in this experiment the Cowboys never had a chance at Surtain, as he was selected by Denver with pick No. 9.

The Cowboys first-round selection has also been heavily linked to the draft’s top two offensive tackles, Oregon’s Penei Sewell and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater. Sewell and Slater go off the board at No. 13 and 14,  respectively, in this mock, meaning McShay chose Horn for Dallas over those potential offensive options.

Whatever direction Dallas chooses to go in the first-round, it is imperative that they make the right decision, as they are selecting in the top 10 for just the second time in nine drafts.

A full Horn scouting report by Cowboys Wire’s Ben Glassmire can be found here.

Cowboys No. 44 overall pick: Christian Barmore, DT

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas adds another potential game-changer in Alabama’s defensive tackle Christian Barmore, taken here in the second round. The Cowboys continue their trend from the 2020 draft of getting great value on an Alabama defender on Day 2.

“Not only does Barmore fill a hole in the Dallas defense, he also comes at a great value. He is my 33rd-ranked prospect, as he’s super disruptive from the interior.” – McShay

An interior presence with immense upside, Barmore was the first of two defensive tackle prospects McShay predicated to go in the top 64 picks.

Barmore has the tools and talent to excel at every aspect of the position, but isn’t a higher prospect as he never fully put everything together while in Tuscaloosa. Still, Barmore showed flashes of true dominance at times, especially rushing the passer and especially down the stretch of the 2020 campaign.

At 6-foot5 and 310 pounds, Baarmore could play the 1-technique but his ideal fit seems to be at the 3-tech, as noted by Glassmire in his scouting report of the Alabama product.

Dallas has two young mid-round 3-techs in Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill, but unless the Cowboys are expecting a substantial jump in level of play from those two then it is hard to argue against adding a player with Barmore’s game-wrecking potential.

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Cowboys’ offseason to start virtually with plans to move to on-field

he latest memo to NFL teams regarding offseason protocols for COVID-19, and what that means for the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2020 offseason was extremely unique and challenging for NFL franchises. Teams implemented game plans and playbooks almost completely virtually, and clubs had just a few short weeks of training camp.  This, of course, severely hampered most of the teams which were revamping with a new coaching staff and trying to implement new schemes and structures. The Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy were one of those teams, struggling to a 6-10 finish.

The league sent out a memo to it’s organizations on Wednesday that details upcoming plans for the offseason programs, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. While there still are plenty of COVID protocols still in place, the NFL believes the 2021 offseason will look much more like what teams are accustomed to, with months of time for on-field practices to take place.

The memo states,

“While the parties (meaning the NFL and the NFLPA) are still discussing possible adjustments to the meeting and on-field work rules and related COVID-19 Protocols, clubs should be prepared to conduct meetings virtually, at least during the early phase of the program.

As we expressed during yesterday’s meeting, we do not anticipate a duplication of last season’s virtual workout program.”

The NFL made it clear that they do not want a fully virtual offseason like last year, but the league also understands that teams can’t jump in head first in this situation, and that there is a process that must take place.

That process is set to include requiring teams to have adequate COVID-19 testing supplies by April 19, updated IDER (Infectious Disease Emergency Response) plans be put in place, loosened restrictions for vaccinated teams or players, and more.

While vaccination will not be mandatory by the league, Pelissero noted the incentives, writing,

“It is also anticipated that clubs that achieve a certain rate of vaccination among its tiered staff and players may be permitted to relax restrictions that apply to meetings, mealtime, and the use of locker rooms.”

The future prospect of an offseason full of  in-person meetings and on-field practices should exhilarate every NFL team, as performing these events virtually just isn’t close to the same.

The Cowboys should especially benefit from the return. The club missed out on much significant time during McCarthy’s debut offseason.

The team hired new defensive Dan Quinn just after the season ended, signifying the second defensive scheme switch in as many years as McCarthy admitted that Mike Nolan tried to install too much considering the hurdles they had to adjust to.

The in-person practice and meeting time will be priceless as Dallas attempts to further implement McCarthy’s system, and as Quinn attempts to catch his unit up to speed.

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Updated draft order ahead of Cowboys after Friday’s big trades

The latest NFL draft trade news; how Friday’s blockbusters impact the top 10 picks.

For weeks and weeks mocks drafts have looked much the same. Sure, experts would flip the order of some of the top quarterbacks or wide receivers, but with the top of the draft the same order for three months, mocks had become monotonous. That is until Friday when two blockbuster draft-pick trades occurred.

The trades could end up having significant ramifications on how the Dallas Cowboys handle draft night with their No. 10 overall selection, and for the clubs directly involved the deals are potentially franchise-altering for seasons to come.

The first domino fell whenever the San Francisco 49ers traded this year’s No. 12 overall, a 2021 3rd-round pick, and two future first-round picks to the Dolphins for the No. 3 overall selection that Miami held (via @AdamSchefter).

Miami, who had just traded out of the top ten, turned right around just minutes later and jumped back up the board. The Dolphins acquired the Eagles first round selection, No. 6 overall, in exchange for the No. 12 pick (that they just received from the 49ers) and a 2022 first-rounder (via @FieldYates).

Here is the updated 2021 top 12 draft picks:

  1. Jaguars
  2. Jets
  3. 49ers (From Dolphins via Texans)
  4. Falcons
  5. Bengals
  6. Dolphins (From Eagles)
  7. Lions
  8. Panthers
  9. Broncos
  10. Cowboys
  11. Giants
  12. Eagles (From 49ers)

In the big picture as far as the Cowboys are concerned, San Francisco jumped ahead Dallas while Philadelphia dropped to two spots below Dallas.

The Cowboys have no interest in taking a quarterback in the first round after signing Dak Prescott for four years. One can presume that San Francisco would only make this leap unto the top five to acquire a new franchise quarterback, while it was unclear if the Eagles would use their top-six pick on the position.

Every quarterback that is selected before Dallas’ No. 10 pick greatly increases the chances of an elite player at a position of greater need, such as Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell or Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II, being available while Dallas is on the clock.

The two trades also result in the Cowboys now holding the highest pick in the draft out of the four NFC East teams, with Dallas, New York, and Philadelphia currently set to pick consecutively at No. 10, 11, and 12, while Washington stands at No. 19.

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Signings of Kazee, Neal are solid start, but Cowboys shouldn’t sit tight at safety

The Cowboys have improved their depth at safety, but Dallas could sure up by the position by continuing to add players.

The Dallas Cowboys entered free agency wanting to upgrade their defense at nearly every position. Safety, which has troubled Dallas for years, was among the top of the list of needs.

The Cowboys made a serious attempt at improving their safety play this week as the club added two well-known former Falcons, free safety Damontae Kazee, safety/linebacker hybrid Keanu Neal, as well as former Lion Jayron Kearse. However the club could still benefit from taking a shot on another veteran in free agency, or from using an early draft pick on the position.

Kazee and Neal are extremely talented players who should add two very different dynamics to the Dallas defense, but both carry a certain amount of risk. Neal’s injury history is well documented, as he missed nearly all of 2018 with a torn ACL and 2019 with a torn Achilles tendon. Prior to these injuries, Neal was a force for Dan Quinn in Atlanta. The former Florida Gator made the Pro-Bowl in just his second season, and he quickly established himself as one of the best strong safeties in the league.

Neal may have lost a tick of speed following his lower body injuries, but that could be less detrimental if the Cowboys move him to the coverage linebacker role as many expect.

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Kazee, a fifth-round pick, turned out to be a diamond in the rough for Quinn and the Falcons. In his second season in 2018 he showed off his range and ball skills as he intercepted a league-high seven passes. Kazee also tore his Achilles after four games in 2020, and it remains to be seen just how he recovers from one of the harshest injuries an athlete can incur.

Signed in between the two, Kearse started seven games for the Lions a year ago before being waived in late December. Kearse began his career in Minnesota, where he was a significant contributor on special teams. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, the Clemson product has the frame to offer versatility in a similar fashion to Neal, but has yet to prove he can make an impact on a good defense.

All of the additions have question marks, as do Darian Thompson and Steven Parker, who saw significant snaps in 2020. The only safety Dallas has on the roster they can trust may be Donovan Wilson. Wilson was a sixth-round pick in 2019 but he emerged in his sophomore season.

Wilson started the final ten games and was clearly the most impactful safety on the squad, playing with with a physicality and reckless abandon that sparked a defensive turnaround, especially in the turnover department.

However Wilson has just those ten career starts, and while he should certainly continue to improve, there is always the chance that the former Aggie isn’t quite the answer at safety he seems to be currently.

One injury, or regression in play, and the Cowboys could very well have a strong need for another safety. That being said, the Cowboys have the cap space to make another dart throw at a veteran at the position, like Duron Harmon, Tashaun Gipson, or even Malik Hooker, who visited with Dallas earlier this week.

TCU safety Trevon Moehrig (7) defends during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Oklahoma won 33-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Whether Dallas is done at the position in free agency or not, the club could still use one of their many draft picks on safety. There aren’t any safeties graded in the range of the Cowboys’ first pick (No. 10 overall), but Trevon Moehrig (TCU), Richie Grant (UCF), Andre Cisco (Syracuse), Ar’Darius Washington (TCU), and Hamsah Nasirildeen (Florida State) are all capable players who could be drafted from the end of the first round through Day 2.

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