Stop me if you have heard this before, “the Dallas Cowboys should address the safety position in the NFL Draft”. That must sound like a broken record to most Cowboys fans who have witnessed their team ignore the position in both free agency and the draft year in and year out. Last season, the Cowboys brought in some high risk, high reward players on one year deals in Damontae Kazee and Malik Hooker. Both performed admirably but neither may end up resigning with the team after the free agency period begins. Another player signed on a one year dear was Jayron Kearse. Most Cowboy fans believed that Kearse was brought in simply to provide depth and maybe contribute on special teams but he had a stellar season and emerged as a leader on the defense. Kearse is likely to earn a decent contract in free agency with another suitor as well. That leaves the Dallas Cowboys dangerously thin at the safety position with only Donovan Wilson and second year player Israel Mokuamu who is a converted cornerback. The NFL draft has some intriguing options for the Dallas Cowboys in the early rounds should they chose to break their trend and invest some decent draft capital on that position.
DAXTON HILL, MICHIGAN
The last time the Dallas Cowboys drafted a safety in the first round of the NFL draft was in 2002 when they selected Roy Williams out of Oklahoma. Cowboy fans have been clamoring for the team to draft one for years now and they have all but given up on the possibility of that happening. Daxton Hill out of Michigan could be the player that bucks the trend and restores faith for Cowboys fans everywhere. Hill is super athletic and he can play multiple positions in the NFL. He has the ball skills that the Cowboys covet even if he lacks a little bit of physicality as a tackler. Contingent on what happens before the Cowboys pick at #24, Daxton Hill could be in play for their first round selection.
JAQUAN BRISKER, PENN STATE
Jaquan Brisker is a hard hitting safety who can also cover. He doesn’t have outstanding ball skills but he is a smart, physical player who makes big plays. He could be a suitable replacement for Jayron Kearse should he leave in free agency but can also start at free safety. If he is available in the second round the Dallas Cowboys would be wise to pull the trigger and draft him.
JALEN PITRE, BAYLOR
Jalen Pitre is another talented safety that the Cowboys could have an opportunity to draft in the second round. Pitre is a highly intelligent and instinctive player who makes plays all over the field. He is considered to be a hybrid linebacker/safety who has the ability to attack the line of scrimmage and wreak havoc in the backfield. A strong showing at the senior bowl put aside some doubts about his coverage skills and he has since ascended many draft boards.
REED BLANKENSHIP, MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Should the Dallas Cowboys chose once again not to draft a safety in the early rounds, there are some solid options that could provide depth and contribute on special teams in the later rounds. Reed Blankenship is one such player. Blankenship is a smart player and solid tackler and he even has experience returning punts.
JUANYEH THOMAS, GEORGIA TECH
Juanyeh Thomas is a player in the mold of Jayron Kearse. Like Kearse he is a bigger safety who is more of a safety/linebacker hybrid. If the Cowboys did draft Thomas, he could perhaps fill the role that was originally intended for Kearse as a special teamer and to provide additional depth. Thomas also has some additional value as a returner on special teams.
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