J.J. Wilcox will start at free safety for Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are making some changes on defense. Today against the St. Louis Rams they will start third round draft pick, and rookie, J.J. Wilcox. Will Allen had been playing free safety for the Cowboys so far throughout the season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Will Allen has played all 132 snaps on defense for the Cowboys at free safety. By comparison the rookie Wilcox has played only six snaps this season.

“Well, we like what he’s done and we drafted him where we drafted him for a reason, and that was a concern (lack of safety experience) of ours just really based on biography more than anything else,” head coach Jason Garrett said, via ESPN Dallas. “It wasn’t anything we necessarily saw on tape that would be a concern for us. He was a small-school guy, didn’t have a lot of experience playing the position in college, but since playing here he’s demonstrated the ability to pick things up quickly. He’s an instinctive player. He has a good feel for the game and a good feel for being around the football and making plays.”

In Allen’s snaps he has allowed seven catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Starting Wilcox might not be too risky considering where the bar is set. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys respond to the Rams’ pass attack which has a dynamic receiver in Tavon Austin and a solid tight end in Jared Cook.