Dallas Cowboys: Justin Simmons, S, (Denver Broncos)
The Dallas Cowboys face three critical internal decisions before they can start looking outside of the organization. Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver Amari Cooper and cornerback Byron Jones are all entering free agency, and while the Cowboys do have a big chunk of cap space available ($77.3 million according to OverTheCap.com) it is expected that at least Jones tests free agency. Reports surfaced on Monday that the organization was exploring the option of using the franchise tag on Prescott and the transition tag on Cooper, which would equate to at least $43 million of combined 2020 cap space.
Looking at outside acquisitions, the Cowboys would be smart to try and bolster the back half of their defense. Prior to last year’s trading deadline Dallas looked at trading for Jamal Adams, the standout safety for the New York Jets. Those negotations failed to get off the ground, but they signal what position the Cowboys are looking to improve on the defensive side of the football.
Simmons has grown into a great weapon on the back half of the Denver Broncos’ secondary, and while John Elway has indicated that the organization will use the franchise tag on Simmons if a long-term extension cannot be worked out, Simmons would be a critical addition for the Dallas defense. He is a versatile safety who can align all over the field, both in single-high and two-high coverage schemes. Pairing him with Xavier Woods gives Dallas two very talented and versatile safeties. Last season Woods played in the free safety role on 702 of his 883 defensive snaps, but he also saw 138 snaps in the box, 35 in the slot and even seven as a defensive linemen. Versatility is critical to defenses, particularly at the safety spot, and Simmons and Woods would make for a great tandem.
New York Giants: Byron Jones, CB (Dallas Cowboys)
It is widely expected that out of their three big free agents, the Dallas Cowboys will retain Prescott and Cooper and allow Jones to test free agency. He would likely have many suitors on the open market, including at least two teams in the NFC East as well.
The first would be the New York Giants. Dave Gettleman has a number of options available to him both in the draft (with the fourth overall selection) and via free agency where the Giants have nearly $74 million dollars in available cap space. They could look to address pass rush or offensive tackle, but with that early draft pick they might have their choice at either position in the draft.
Cornerback is another need. There is a chance that Jeffrey Okudah, the consensus top CB in the draft, would be available at that spot but the Giants would be wise to address that position in free agency, especially if Jones is available.
Jones over the past two seasons showed the ability to play as an outside boundary cornerback over the past few seasons, and according to PFF’s grading his 74.1 coverage grade in single coverage is 11th best in the league over the past two seasons. Now, you can take PFF’s grading with a grain of salt, but that shows that Jones can be a lockdown corner in this league. Pairing him with with last year’s first round pick Deandre Baker would allow Jones to lock down on the opposition’s top target, and give Baker some more favorable matchups. In addition, Jones has some positional flexibility, as he can also align at safety, or be used to cover tight ends. Given the tight ends New York sees each season, such as Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz, that flexibility would be key in some of the Giants’ games next season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Jones, CB (Dallas Cowboys)
Again, the Giants would not be the only team looking to bring Jones into the mix in the NFC East.
The Philadelphia secondary was a mess last season, and it started right out of the gate. Case Keenum hung 380 passing yards and three touchdowns on the Eagles in the season opener, and things honestly got worse from there. Quarterbacks such as Kirk Cousins, Dwayne Haskins, Ryan Fitzpatrick and even Eli Manning had great outings against this porous Eagles’ secondary, with Manning coming off the sideline to put up two touchdowns against Philadelphia on a rainy Monday night.
Michael Kist, who covers the Eagles for SB Nation, put their secondary woes best:
Byron Jones had 0 interceptions in '19… Byron Jones was targeted 1 out of every 10.1 coverage snaps (3rd least).
Per PFF, Jones allowed one (1) 100-yard game in 2 years, 3 in his entire career. The Eagles CBs combined allowed nine (9) in '19.
— Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) March 4, 2020
Seems to make sense for the Eagles.
Washington Redskins: Eric Ebron, TE (Indianapolis Colts)
Washington has a lot of needs as free agency beckons. They need help on the offensive line, and while re-signing guard Brandon Scherff would be a smart first move, they will likely need to address offensive tackle, as the organization has granted Trent Williams the freedom to seek a trade. They might also need to address defensive line, although it is widely assumed that help will arrive in the form of Chase Young with the second overall selection in the draft.
Washington also needs to address tight end, given the recent release of Jordan Reed. Reed showed the ability to be a dynamic tight end who can both attack the middle of the field and serve as a matchup nightmare, but mounting injuries forced the organization to move on from Reed. Given the questions about the 2020 draft tight end class, acquiring a veteran to address the position would be a very smart move for Washington.
Ebron rebounded from a slow start to his career with the Detroit Lions to emerge as a weapon in the passing game under Frank Reich with the Indianapolis Colts. Ebron is more of a contributor in the passing game than in the running game, but pairing him with Jeremy Sprinkle, who is more of a traditional, in-line tight end, that would give Scott Turner some 12 personnel packages that can still stress defenses in the passing game. When Turner took over as the interim offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers late last season, he utilize 12 offensive personnel on 19% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps. Having a tight end like Ebron would fit with where Turner is likely to take the offense. In addition, if the organization is going to build around Dwayne Haskins – which was the recommendation I made recently – adding a security blanket in the form of a receiving tight end would be a big acquisition.