Drafting a safety ......

[Verdict]

I don't think that drafting a safety high priority. I think it is a want, not a need for us at this point. It is not a "must have".

 

[The Natural]

Of course it isn't a must have. This team just drafted a safety in the 4th round this past year and they dont even want to let him get out on the football field. Forget if he has all the tools we were supposedly looking for in a safety for years.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Its not a must have, but our safeties are a joke.

Church should be a situational linebacker, the rest are scrubs.

 

[Verdict]

Its not a must have, but our safeties are a joke.

Church should be a situational linebacker, the rest are scrubs.

Safety is a position that probably has more talent and depth than you might expect. Staying healthy is probably the wild card at that position.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Safety is a position that probably has more talent and depth than you might expect. Staying healthy is probably the wild card at that position.

Maybe Wilcox has something he hasnt shown, but I am not sure where the talent and depth comes from.

 

[basstapp]

Church is a great tackler and run stuffer. He isn't the fastest safety in the book, but he isn't a liability. Wilcox came from a super small school with literally no football experience. Anyone who thought he would be a prime starter his first year are fooling themselves. I think we take another shot at a safety in 4th or 5th round and develop Matt Johnson, Wilcox & Church. I feel that DL, DT, OG are way bigger concerns and I would not have an issue forcing these picks in the first 3 rounds. Take BPA from these positions.

 

[Common Sense]

If this team is serious about instilling a Seattle-style defense, then an Earl Thomas-type player is a must-have to make the coverage scheme work.

 

[tm1119]

Jeff Heath is the closest thing to a cover safety on this team....not a good sign. Free Safety is an absolute must upgrade.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Dont know why Church is playing FS when everything he does says he should be the SS. Tackles well, better closer to the line. Does not have great catchup speed. Think we need a FS ballhawk in the worst way. Dont see Wilcox or Heath being that player, Johnson gets one more chance - but arent Wilcox and Johnson both SS ? So all we have at FS is Heath really. Thats not good. What am I missing ?

 

[Future]

The problem with drafting a S early is that, it essentially means you are giving up on Wilcox, Heath, and Johnson, unless you plan on taking Church out of his starting role. Its a tough spot to be in.

I think, long term, Wilcox could be the answer, but its really hard to say based on this season.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think in today's NFL it is a must have. Your safeties generally have to be pretty darn good. And the top defense in the NFL, Seattle, has 2 great ones.

The issue I think is that Jerry is still stuck in the 90's when 'cover corners' were fashionable and thinks that any of these guys have 1/10th the ability of Deion.

These days corners have to tackle well. Teams will just throw short passes at them time and time again. The ball *will* be completed, it's a case of preventing YAC. Also, corners have historically been the most injured position in the NFL. Lots of running, stopping, cutting, picks get set and they are playing in small padding. Better have physical corners.

I think you can do what the top defenses this year have done...like Seattle. Go after big, physical corners because they are not highly valued. So the price for them is low and you can now spend that money and take that high draft pick on a couple of dynamic safeties. And it will cost you less in the end.

Church is not starting safety material. He's a backup that should be a special teams ace. I like Wilcox, but I think Kiffin's scheme favors the FS and requires more talent at the SS position. Even if Kiffin is fired, we really need better safety play. It's the one common denominator we have had in our terrible pass defense seasons. Our best pass defense season in recent memory was 2003...when we had Darren Woodson and 2nd year Roy Williams.






YR

 

[IAmLegend]

Yes it is, but I don't think we go that route this year. This team's Safety play is downright awful right now. Church isn't a liability, but he's not a strength either. And Heath is a practice squad player being forced to start. There's only one Safety with a 1st-round grade in this draft right now and that's HaHa Clinton-Dix, and I seriously doubt we take him (he prob won't be available when we pick anyways). It's likely DL, DL, OL, and Romo's successor as our top 4 picks if I had to guess.

 

[supercowboy8]

I think need for a true FS is high, but this is a bad draft for a day one starting safety. Drummond and Dion Bailey are probably the bet and they might not come out. Watch for Kiffin to really want Bailey due to being a favorite player of his at USC.

I would love for us to be able to sign Jarius Byrd or TJ Ward but I don't see Jerry doing that.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

IMO you draft the BPA at one of the following positions: Safety, Linebacker, Defensive tackle or end, Offensive guard, Offensive Tackle.

 

[JD_KaPow]

I don't think that drafting a safety high priority. I think it is a want, not a need for us at this point. It is not a "must have".

Wow. I could not disagree more. I think safety is a massive, glaring black hole on this team. Much as I like Church, I don't think he's a good starting safety for this scheme or today's NFL. Wilcox may or may not be. Yes, our DL is a huge problem, but you don't give up the kind of at-will passing that we have if you have competent safety play.

 

[XxTDxX]

I don't think that drafting a safety high priority. I think it is a want, not a need for us at this point. It is not a "must have".

Just don't give me anymore mid round safeties.. if the Cowboys are serious about improving safety play they need to take one in the first two rounds..

Give me HaHa Clinton Dix from Bama.. Not a typical Bama thumper type safety he has great range and knows how to play the ball.. He is one of my top 5 1st round targets considering where we will be drafting along with Louis Nix, Sammy Watkins, Antonio Richardson, and Bradley Roby

 

[Questfor6]

I think need for a true FS is high, but this is a bad draft for a day one starting safety. Drummond and Dion Bailey are probably the bet and they might not come out. Watch for Kiffin to really want Bailey due to being a favorite player of his at USC.

I would love for us to be able to sign Jarius Byrd or TJ Ward but I don't see Jerry doing that.

Kiffin more than likely (albeit a miracle) won't be here next season.

 

[XxTDxX]

I think need for a true FS is high, but this is a bad draft for a day one starting safety. Drummond and Dion Bailey are probably the bet and they might not come out. Watch for Kiffin to really want Bailey due to being a favorite player of his at USC.

I would love for us to be able to sign Jarius Byrd or TJ Ward but I don't see Jerry doing that.

Dion Bailey is good. I would love to get him in the 2nd

 

[cowboys1981]

What do y'all think about LaMarcus Joyner? I like Bailey but his knock is his range and hes seems more a Church type player. Bailey could drop to 4-5 round since he lacks speed and range for safety and some may feel he's too small for LB.

 

[supercowboy8]

What do y'all think about LaMarcus Joyner? I like Bailey but his knock is his range and hes seems more a Church type player. Bailey could drop to 4-5 round since he lacks speed and range for safety and some may feel he's too small for LB.

Joyner isn't a safety in nfl in my book but would be an amazing nickel