Dallas Cowboys: 5 offseason needs
By Joe Romano
1. Will Dallas shuffle up the secondary?
Dallas spent four picks in the 2017 NFL draft on secondary players. It started with Chidobe Awuzie, the corner from Colorado in the second round. A round later they grabbed Jordan Lewis of Michigan, another corner. Later on they drafted Marquez White of Florida State and Xavier Woods of Louisiana Tech. Clearly they knew that this unit needed an injection of talent and youth after losing Morris Claiborne, Barry Church and Brandon Carr.
The youngsters played well, and paired with leftovers Byron Jones, Jeff Heath and Anthony Brown. As a whole, there were growing pains, and injuries but the future is bright. To secure that bright future actually happens, Dallas brought in former Seahawks coach Kris Richards. The idea is that the talent in the secondary could turn into the Cowboys’ own Legion of Boom.
Already there are reports of some shuffling of players. Talented safety Byron Jones may be moved to corner. A move that would replicate what Richards had in Seattle, long athletic corners. That opens up a hole at safety, Jones starting spot from a year ago.
Awuzie also gives the team excellent length on the outside. There have been rumors that he may be a better suited safety. With Richards in town, it is hard to imagine that happening. Jones and Awuzie on the outside with Lewis on the inside gives the Cowboys a solid trio of players that compliment each other very well.
Next: Every NFL team's greatest moment of all-time
The safety position will be left with questions. Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier have experience but neither are the game-changer that the team would likely want to see back there. Last year’s sixth round pick Woods, saw action and looks to be a bit of a steal. Richards’ influence will be felt all over the secondary, and possibly in the draft.
A player like Florida State’s Derwin James has been mentioned for the team in the first round. Dallas could have a new look back there and hopefully find some more success with the growth of the younger players.