After missing on Jamal Adams, Cowboys should look within for possible safety upgrade

[zekecowboy]

That’s why the Cowboys wanted Adams so badly, and it’s why they reportedly offered a first-roundpick to get him. But Dallas has another yet-unexplored method of upgrading the safety position, and his name is Donovan Wilson. He doesn’t carry anywhere near the amount of shine as Adams does, seeing as Wilson was a sixth-round pick this year whom many thought would go undrafted. However, what Wilson brings to the table is similar in style to what Adams would’ve brought.

For a closer look at Wilson’s profile coming out of college, check out our scouting report of him from back in May. In short, Wilson is a thumper with ballhawk instincts who served as the leader of the defense at Texas A&M. In his senior year of high school, Wilson picked off 13 passes. Then, through three years as a starter in various roles with the Aggies, he had eight interceptions, as well as four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Conversely, Adams’ one knock thus far in his young career is his lack of ball skills. Much like Byron Jones, Adams is terrific in coverage and a great tackler, but has only two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries across 39 career games. Whereas Adams has had issues with takeaways, Wilson made his collegiate career out of them, as well as bone-crushing hits.

This continued into the preseason, where Wilson saw extensive action after an impressive training camp. He finished with 11 total tackles, three passes defensed, and three interceptions. Currently, no Cowboys defender has more than interception this season, and Heath, in particular, has zero.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...an-upgrade-the-safety-position-donovan-wilson

 

[CF74]

Wilson Wilson Wilson Mr Wiiiiiilson!!!!

 

[jazzcat22]

Wilson is still raw, and there is a reason he was a later round draft pick. He looks like he can be good, but he still needs experience.
However in the 2020 draft, they need to go S in the 1st or 2nd round, at the latest the 3rd round. Depending the players available and if they need a player at another position as well.
Still a long way away to think about it though.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Wilson should be ready next summer.

Great draft pick.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Predictable BTB. Hyping up down roster guys.

I like Wilson, but he has a way to go before he is a starter caliber player. Let alone a difference maker. He made plays in preseason, but he did that from center fielder role he wont be playing if he is replacing Heath.

Honestly he looks like a better Woods replacement than a Heath replacement

 

[cern]

At least we now definitively know the cowboys understand the need to upgrade the position. How they achieve this is yet to be seen.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Predictable BTB. Hyping up down roster guys.

I like Wilson, but he has a way to go before he is a starter caliber player. Let alone a difference maker. He made plays in preseason, but he did that from center fielder role he wont be playing if he is replacing Heath.

Honestly he looks like a better Woods replacement than a Heath replacement

How do you know he has a way to go before he is a starter caliber player? Or a difference maker?

I'm sure there were people who thought the same thing about Dak. Point is you never know what you have until you let them get some real playing time.

Miles Austin.
Taco Charlton.
Dan Bailey.
Dak Prescott.
Jason Hatcher.
And those are just Cowboy players. If given a chance he could indeed surprise.--JK

 

[kskboys]

At least we now definitively know the cowboys understand the need to upgrade the position. How they achieve this is yet to be seen.

Yeah, this is the first time I remember them even trying.

 

[Beaker42]

That’s why the Cowboys wanted Adams so badly, and it’s why they reportedly offered a first-roundpick to get him. But Dallas has another yet-unexplored method of upgrading the safety position, and his name is Donovan Wilson. He doesn’t carry anywhere near the amount of shine as Adams does, seeing as Wilson was a sixth-round pick this year whom many thought would go undrafted. However, what Wilson brings to the table is similar in style to what Adams would’ve brought.

For a closer look at Wilson’s profile coming out of college, check out our scouting report of him from back in May. In short, Wilson is a thumper with ballhawk instincts who served as the leader of the defense at Texas A&M. In his senior year of high school, Wilson picked off 13 passes. Then, through three years as a starter in various roles with the Aggies, he had eight interceptions, as well as four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Conversely, Adams’ one knock thus far in his young career is his lack of ball skills. Much like Byron Jones, Adams is terrific in coverage and a great tackler, but has only two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries across 39 career games. Whereas Adams has had issues with takeaways, Wilson made his collegiate career out of them, as well as bone-crushing hits.

This continued into the preseason, where Wilson saw extensive action after an impressive training camp. He finished with 11 total tackles, three passes defensed, and three interceptions. Currently, no Cowboys defender has more than interception this season, and Heath, in particular, has zero.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...an-upgrade-the-safety-position-donovan-wilson

We like our JAG’s.

 

[kskboys]

Maybe their two collective brain cells will click next on the DT position.

 

[Beaker42]

Yeah, this is the first time I remember them even trying.

I’m sick and tired of this FO and staff not seeing what us idiot fans can see for miles. Our WR corps sucked coming out of camp Last season and they tried to play it off until Dak had nowhere to throw the ball and we’re forced to go after Amari. They finally see how much our safeties suck after we’ve known it for YEARS.

 

[kskboys]

I’m sick and tired of this FO and staff not seeing what us idiot fans can see for miles. Our WR corps sucked coming out of camp Last season and they tried to play it off until Dak had nowhere to throw the ball and we’re forced to go after Amari. They finally see how much our safeties suck after we’ve known it for YEARS.

Don't forget the OL completely falling apart before we attempted to fix it. And then we thought it would be OK filled w/ late rounders and UFA's and other team's castoffs. That was one of the worst GMing jobs I've ever seen in all my years.

 

[Praxit]

..why wait, give Wilson some playing time. Put him in on a few downs. Cant hurt.

 

[Bobhaze]

Cowboys had the opportunity to take a really good safety in Juan Thornhill who was available when Cowboys picked Trysten Hill. Thornhill has started all 8 games at S for the Chiefs, has a pick, 30 tackles, and has been on the field for over 90% of the chiefs defensive snaps. Taylor Rapp is another S who was available when Hill was picked who is doing well with rams. Last week he had 9 tackles and 2 passes defended.

Trysten Hill so far is an even bigger bust than Gavin “Pablo” Escobar. At least Escobar suited up and played some snaps every game. He sucked but at least he was able to prove how bad he was in a real game, lol. Apparently our coaches think Hill sucks so bad he can’t be allowed to take a few snaps.

To be fair, I guess it’s too early to declare a rookie a bust after half a season. But let’s just say the fat lady at the opera is warming up.

 

[kskboys]

Cowboys had the opportunity to take a really good safety in Juan Thornhill who was available when Cowboys picked Trysten Hill. Thornhill has started all 8 games at S for the Chiefs, has a pick, 30 tackles, and has been on the field for over 90% of the chiefs defensive snaps. Taylor Rapp is another S who was available when Hill was picked who is doing well with rams. Last week he had 9 tackles and 2 passes defended.

Trysten Hill so far is an even bigger bust than Gavin “Pablo” Escobar. At least Escobar suited up and played some snaps every game. He sucked but at least he was able to prove how bad he was in a real game, lol. Apparently our coaches think Hill sucks so bad he can’t be allowed to take a few snaps.

To be fair, I guess it’s too early to declare a rookie a bust after half a season. But let’s just say the fat lady at the opera is warming up.

Although I dearly hoped he would turn out, it was a very odd pick and definitely not the player I would've taken.

 

[KingintheNorth]

The Cowboys are in a tough predicament. Heath is likable but below average. He will make some big hits every once in a while to get the fan base hype, but then you blink and he's isolated in deep coverage and nowhere near where he needs to be. He competes, but has limited FBI and can get exposed when he's forced to make a quick decision. Thompson and Woods are average guys who are typically where they are supposed to be, but will not wow you with athletic ability or play speed. Donovan Wilson has flashed, but my guess is he still isn't up to par on his assignments. When Heath got hurt in the Eagles game, it was the perfect opportunity (good sized lead) to play Wilson. Instead the Cowboys opted to play both free safeties, Woods and Thompson. The Cowboys are in a race to win the NFC East so they aren't going to gamble on Wilson until they are forced to. They are going to go with the known commodity in Heath and hope to minimize his weaknesses.

One thing they should stop is the formation shifts that bring Woods out of single high and put Heath in it. I get wanting to have versatile players but offenses have shown you since the Rams game that they will motion you out of the Woods look, get Heath up there, and then attack vertically. Have Heath follow the #2 WR (or TE depending on the personnel grouping) versus rotate to single high. Woods is the guy we want in that look.

Keep on eye on Josh Jones. If he's grasps the defense quickly, the team may be more willing to promote him and give him a chance to take reps from Heath. Wilson needs to hustle on Special Teams and hope to get in on some dime packages to start proving to the staff that he is ready to handle more reps.

 

[ChuckA1]

Well KingintheNorth, we kinda got close to getting Adams, sorta kinda. It would have been a great trade. Maybe next summer.

 

[Beast_from_East]

That’s why the Cowboys wanted Adams so badly, and it’s why they reportedly offered a first-roundpick to get him. But Dallas has another yet-unexplored method of upgrading the safety position, and his name is Donovan Wilson. He doesn’t carry anywhere near the amount of shine as Adams does, seeing as Wilson was a sixth-round pick this year whom many thought would go undrafted. However, what Wilson brings to the table is similar in style to what Adams would’ve brought.

For a closer look at Wilson’s profile coming out of college, check out our scouting report of him from back in May. In short, Wilson is a thumper with ballhawk instincts who served as the leader of the defense at Texas A&M. In his senior year of high school, Wilson picked off 13 passes. Then, through three years as a starter in various roles with the Aggies, he had eight interceptions, as well as four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Conversely, Adams’ one knock thus far in his young career is his lack of ball skills. Much like Byron Jones, Adams is terrific in coverage and a great tackler, but has only two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries across 39 career games. Whereas Adams has had issues with takeaways, Wilson made his collegiate career out of them, as well as bone-crushing hits.

This continued into the preseason, where Wilson saw extensive action after an impressive training camp. He finished with 11 total tackles, three passes defensed, and three interceptions. Currently, no Cowboys defender has more than interception this season, and Heath, in particular, has zero.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...an-upgrade-the-safety-position-donovan-wilson

Looked good in preseason, LOL.
Taco looked good in preseason also, the homers told me he was going to have a breakout year....how that work out

 

[buybuydandavis]

That’s why the Cowboys wanted Adams so badly, and it’s why they reportedly offered a first-roundpick to get him. But Dallas has another yet-unexplored method of upgrading the safety position, and his name is Donovan Wilson. He doesn’t carry anywhere near the amount of shine as Adams does, seeing as Wilson was a sixth-round pick this year whom many thought would go undrafted. However, what Wilson brings to the table is similar in style to what Adams would’ve brought.

For a closer look at Wilson’s profile coming out of college, check out our scouting report of him from back in May. In short, Wilson is a thumper with ballhawk instincts who served as the leader of the defense at Texas A&M. In his senior year of high school, Wilson picked off 13 passes. Then, through three years as a starter in various roles with the Aggies, he had eight interceptions, as well as four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Conversely, Adams’ one knock thus far in his young career is his lack of ball skills. Much like Byron Jones, Adams is terrific in coverage and a great tackler, but has only two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries across 39 career games. Whereas Adams has had issues with takeaways, Wilson made his collegiate career out of them, as well as bone-crushing hits.

This continued into the preseason, where Wilson saw extensive action after an impressive training camp. He finished with 11 total tackles, three passes defensed, and three interceptions. Currently, no Cowboys defender has more than interception this season, and Heath, in particular, has zero.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...an-upgrade-the-safety-position-donovan-wilson

These things aren't complicated. Let him play some. See how he does. Let him start with more in the box duties.

We should be playing Wilson some to develop him. That also lets us evaluate him, and cuts back on Heath's snaps, which are overloaded.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Looked good in preseason, LOL.
Taco looked good in preseason also, the homers told me he was going to have a breakout year....how that work out

Taco is having a breakout season. That's how it has turned out.