Dallas Cowboys: 5 players who must improve
By Joe Romano
1. Kavon Frazier/Xavier Woods
There is still one major domino that could fall and effect the entire Cowboys defense; trading for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. Rumors have been swirling since Thomas’ locker room chat with Jason Garrett a year ago. To date nothing is imminent but there is hope with Thomas’ apparently not showing up to any Seahawks workouts this offseason.
Dallas did not choose a safety in the 2018 draft, a shocker to most around the media. With former starting safety Byron Jones moving to cornerback full time, it leaves a big hole on the back end. The team will ask two young players to step in to starting positions. Xavier Woods and Kavon Frazier, will have increased roles in this new defense. Both are former sixth-round picks which is why media expected Dallas to draft a safety early.
Woods has positional versatility and will likely start at free safety, Jones’ former position. He will get what many are calling the “Earl Thomas role.” Where Frazier is more of a force around the line of scrimmage and a traditional strong safety.
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With Dallas bringing on Kris Richards, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks to coach the defensive backs, it should bring a new look to the entire secondary’s style. Woods and Frazier are nowhere near the talents of Thomas and Kam Chancellor but those are the roles they will be asked to play.
The Cowboys secondary with Jones and former second-round pick Chido Awuzie on the outside, and Jourdan Lewis in the slot, has talent. All three players have shown flashes at their respective positions in their short careers. The safeties are what will make or break this secondary. Woods, Frazier and Jeff Heath will all be important pieces on this team next season.