Fansided

Top 20 NFL breakout candidates in 2017

By John Buhler

Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) reacts after breaking up a pass play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) reacts after breaking up a pass play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
15

Byron Jones

Free Safety, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys had a remarkable 2016 regular season, going 13-3 and getting the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs. While that didn’t translate to any playoff wins, there is reason to believe that the Cowboys are back….at least on the offensive side of the ball.

We all know that Dallas’ offensive is just better than everybody else’s. However, Dallas needs to build on a halfway decent season from its defense for 2017. The Cowboys could still use a pass rusher and will presumably target one in the draft. That being said, Dallas might have some glaring holes in the secondary.

The Cowboys lost safety Barry Church to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr also went to the AFC. Claiborne went to the New York Jets, while Carr now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. In short, free safety Byron Jones needs to have a monster third year in the NFL to keep the Dallas secondary viable.

Dallas used its first-round pick in 2015 to draft Jones out of UConn. In two years with the Cowboys, Jones has shown a great deal of promise in the middle of the defensive backfield. He has 27 starts, 146 combined tackles and 18 passes defended. UConn has been a dark horse pro factory for secondary players these last few years. Perhaps Jones becomes the AAC school’s first star in recent years? The Cowboys frankly need him to.

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