Safety Position: Replacing Donovan Wilson

[CalPolyTechnique]

This hypothetical sorta operates on the assumption we cut ties this off-season with Donovan Wilson. Wilson has one year left on his contract and scheduled to count $8.65M against Dallas’ 2025 salary cap. The Cowboys can get back $5.35M if they cut him now or $7M as a June 1st designated cut.

Given the fact the Cowboys have historically devalued the safety position, it's dubious that the Cowboys would draft a safety high in the draft. I think the more likely scenario is they would look in-house at either Juanyeh Thomas or Markquese Bell.

Putting that likelihood aside, who would you target in the draft?

 

[cnuball21]

I honestly haven’t watched anyone outside or Starks who is a cheat code but I’ve heard it’s a good class.

To your point though it’d be nice to see a Thomas and Bell get a shot.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I honestly haven’t watched anyone outside or Starks who is a cheat code but I’ve heard it’s a good class.

To your point though it’d be nice to see a Thomas and Bell get a shot.

Starks has very little weaknesses; shades of Ed Reed.

One guy I think will make a better safety or nickel/slot corner is Jahdae Barron. I don't see him as a boundary corner, but think he can be a higher performing Jourdan Lewis or Budda Baker type.

 

[cnuball21]

Starks has very little weaknesses; shades of Ed Reed.

One guy I think will make a better safety or nickel/slot corner is Jahdae Barron. I don't see him as a boundary corner, but think he can be a higher performing Jourdan Lewis or Budda Baker type.

Barron is a stud too, but I look at him as more of a CB.

He can probably play that Brian Branch role.

 

[TheDank]

Nick Emmanwori is my favorite pick at 44 if he's there. Downhill playmaker, great athlete, size to held in the run game significantly and carry big receivers and TEs down the field. Makes plays on the ball.

Reminds me a bit of Kam Chancellor or Derwin James. He is not as fluid in coverage as James (or he'd be going in the top 20) but I don't think he's that far off either. Give him a watch, it's fun tape. Last year my favorite guy to watch was Beebe, this year so far it's Emmanwori.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Nick Emmanwori is my favorite pick at 44 if he's there. Downhill playmaker, great athlete, size to held in the run game significantly and carry big receivers and TEs down the field. Makes plays on the ball.

Reminds me a bit of Kam Chancellor or Derwin James. He is not as fluid in coverage as James (or he'd be going in the top 20) but I don't think he's that far off either. Give him a watch, it's fun tape. Last year my favorite guy to watch was Beebe, this year so far it's Emmanwori.

Yeah, Emmanwori is definitely a throwback type of big safety. It will be interesting to see how he times out.

 

[Gambit]

Great topic. I think Safety, particularly in Eberflus system is a low key need. There are 2 I like as of right now that I think can come in and help right away
Andrew Mukaba Texas
Kevin Winston jr Penn St
I like Barron too, but think he plays CB in NFL.

 

[Hardline]

Barron is a stud too, but I look at him as more of a CB.

He can probably play that Brian Branch role.

He is now a borderline first rounder.

 

[cnuball21]

He is now a borderline first rounder.

I think he’s a legit 1st rounder and I’d be very surprised if he isn’t drafted in the 1st.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Barron is a stud too, but I look at him as more of a CB.

He can probably play that Brian Branch role.

Brian Branch-type is another good comp.

 

[TheDank]

If we don't bring back Lewis. I think Mukuba would be a great nickel guy as well.

 

[TasteMyScythe]

This hypothetical sorta operates on the assumption we cut ties this off-season with Donovan Wilson. Wilson has one year left on his contract and scheduled to count $8.65M against Dallas’ 2025 salary cap. The Cowboys can get back $5.35M if they cut him now or $7M as a June 1st designated cut.

Given the fact the Cowboys have historically devalued the safety position, it's dubious that the Cowboys would draft a safety high in the draft. I think the more likely scenario is they would look in-house at either Juanyeh Thomas or Markquese Bell.

Putting that likelihood aside, who would you target in the draft?

Both Thomas and Bell deserve to be given the opportunity, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a player such as Robert Spears-Jennings drafted in the 5th/6th round.

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Robert-Spears-Jennings-DB-Oklahoma

 

[Cowboyny]

This hypothetical sorta operates on the assumption we cut ties this off-season with Donovan Wilson. Wilson has one year left on his contract and scheduled to count $8.65M against Dallas’ 2025 salary cap. The Cowboys can get back $5.35M if they cut him now or $7M as a June 1st designated cut.

Given the fact the Cowboys have historically devalued the safety position, it's dubious that the Cowboys would draft a safety high in the draft. I think the more likely scenario is they would look in-house at either Juanyeh Thomas or Markquese Bell.

Putting that likelihood aside, who would you target in the draft?

He is probably going to be a poor scheme fit in Eberflus Defense as they call for coverage safeties over box ones. Both Thomas/Bell could be options, but didn't they have serious injuries late in the year?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

He is probably going to be a poor scheme fit in Eberflus Defense as they call for coverage safeties over box ones. Both Thomas/Bell could be options, but didn't they have serious injuries late in the year?

Thomas dodged a bullet in what was originally feared to be a torn ACL. Turned out to be a strain and he played down the stretch. I don't think Bell was injured. Rather, his role was diminished due to Kendricks and Overshown's emergence.

 

[tm1119]

Thomas dodged a bullet in what was originally feared to be a torn ACL. Turned out to be a strain and he played down the stretch. I don't think Bell was injured. Rather, his role was diminished due to Kendricks and Overshown's emergence.

Bell really only ever played because we didn’t have a decent healthy LB in ‘23. He’s a 205-210 pound SS that should have never been on the field at LB in general. He showed he’s a solid tackler, I just have no idea if he can be trusted in a deep zone. Based on the fact that he got beat out by Thomas for playing time this year I suspect it may not be his strong suit.

And while we are talking Safeties…Hooker’s job shouldn’t be safe either. He’s been the definition of mediocre. A FS actually capable of making plays would be nice

 

[cowboyec]

hope we keep donovan wilson.
he's been our best safety in a long time.
stay or leave...
☆xavier watts,notre dame...he is a big time playmaker and a magnet for the ball.
☆mukuba,texas
☆ransom,ohio st

but with or without wilson...xavier watts would be a helluva get.

 

[Carson]

Xavier Watts is my guy!

 

[SMASHMOUTH9473]

The safety position for Dallas has been an afterthought since the Woodson and Williams playing days. They devalued the position long ago. I like Sanker from Virginia or Woodson from California late in the draft.

 

[Cowboyny]

Thomas dodged a bullet in what was originally feared to be a torn ACL. Turned out to be a strain and he played down the stretch. I don't think Bell was injured. Rather, his role was diminished due to Kendricks and Overshown's emergence.

I think Bell had an acl injury on a kickoff return,

 

[Cowboyny]

Thomas dodged a bullet in what was originally feared to be a torn ACL. Turned out to be a strain and he played down the stretch. I don't think Bell was injured. Rather, his role was diminished due to Kendricks and Overshown's emergence.

Off-season shoulder surgery for bell