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The Dallas Cowboys will host Dashon Goldson for a visit in an attempt to upgrade the safety position.
The safety position is likely going to change for the Dallas Cowboys in the coming months. The duo of Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox could be broken up with Byron Jones possibly headed back there full-time. In terms of the draft, the Cowboys have been linked to both Southern Utah's Miles Killebrew and Boise State's Darian Thompson. But if the Cowboys fear that neither prospect can come in immediately and contribute, the Cowboys could look to free agency for a contingency plan at the position. That could be the case with Dashon Goldson.
Back when the San Francisco 49ers were one of the best defenses in football, Goldson was one of best safeties in football, having made the Pro Bowl in both 2011 and 2012. It should be worth mentioning that the 49ers got excellent pressure on the football and Goldson thrived because of that. Before the 2013 NFL season, he was signed to a huge deal by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But since his last year in San Francisco, Goldson seems to lack that same production. However, that could be attributed to the fact that he's played for the Buccaneers and the Washington Commanders in recent years.
A team captain with the Commanders in his lone season, he was released just last week, saving the Commanders $8 million in the process. Hogs Haven's Alex Rowsey had this to say about the release of Goldson:
"Goldson was a starter and leader of the team last year after being acquired last off-season in a trade with the Bucs. He was consistently praised for being one of the leaders of this team. Still, his play was OK at best and his outstanding leadership was not enough to overcome that."
One team that has already shown interest is none other than the Cowboys. The news of the Cowboys hosting Goldson is extremely interesting, considering it was reported that Leon Hall would be visiting the team's headquarters just a few hours before. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news:
The #Cowboys are looking for more veteran help in the secondary, planning to bring in safety Dashon Goldson for a visit, source said. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2016
Despite being 31 years old, Goldson still had an effective season in 2015, posting 110 tackles, a forced fumble, and one interception - with that interception being brought back for a touchdown. Goldson may not be that punishing safety he was once with the 49ers, but his statistics as well as his leadership skills prove that he can be a valuable commodity to not only a secondary, but also to a defense.
It has been speculated that the Cowboys had plans for Byron Jones to make the switch to the free safety position. However, the news of the Cowboys' interest in Goldson could keep them from doing that.
The Cowboys are playing free agency much more safely and smarter than how they previously played free agency. Dallas has been letting the market play itself out and it could lead to the Cowboys acquiring two veterans who can contribute to the team as well as help the progressions of the younger players on the defense. If price isn't a factor to both Goldson and Hall, there is no reason why they shouldn't be members of the Cowboys by this time next week.
Follow me on Twitter: RyanRattyNFL
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