Byron Jones: Is he the Cowboys answer at safety?

When the Dallas Cowboys selected Connecticut corner back Byron Jones with pick No. 27 in this year’s NFL Draft, there was debate over whether Jones was best suited to play corner or safety in the NFL. Ironically, the surprising resurgence of another corer drafted in the first round four years ago is helping make the decision about Jones’ position easier.

In 2012, the Cowboys traded up in the first round of the draft to select cornerback Morris Claiborne with the sixth pick in the draft. Since then, Claiborne has been a disappointment if not a complete bust.

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Due to multiple injuries (including a torn patella tendon that caused him to miss all but four games in 2014) and an inability to grasp NFL coverage schemes, Claiborne had fallen to the bottom of the Cowboys depth chart at corner. Thus, Dallas felt the need to spend another first round pick on a corner in Byron Jones.

But when Dallas’ best corner, Orlando Scandrick, was lost for the year with a knee injury suffered early in training camp, Claiborne was given another opportunity. Now, the Cowboys’ coaches and front office personnel are singing a different tune about Claiborne.

"“It makes you wonder, ‘we go Mo Claiborne, we paid an arm and a leg to get him, how in the world is he not helping us win football games,’” Jones told 105.3FM on Tuesday. “He’s an outstanding player. I think we are starting to see a little of it.” Link"

Now that the Cowboys seem to trust Claiborne, the team has been able to use Byron Jones’ versatility. At 6-feet-tall and 205, Jones is an athletic freak. At the NFL combine, he broke the world record for the broad jump and tested out as the strongest defensive back of the participants.

That athleticism has allowed Jones to line up on some of the NFL’s big versatile tight ends like Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots who already has six touchdown receptions on the season. Against Dallas in week 5, Jones limited Gronkowski to only 4 receptions and no touchdowns.

"“Byron’s done a good job,” Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett said. “So you want to get those guys out there. He played a lot against New England, covering Gronkowski and did a good job with that responsibility.” Link"

It seems that Dallas has been in a never-ending quest to find an answer at safety since Darren Woodson retired in 2003. Now, Jones could be poised to be the next great Dallas Cowboys’ safety.

Against the New York Giants, Jones played as many snaps at safety as did Cowboys’ starting safety J.J. Wilcox.

"ESPN.com’s Todd Archer notes that, “Now it appears he could be more of a safety who could play some corner. All along, the comparison for Jones was New England’s Devin McCourty, who made a similar move. That seems more apt now.” Link"

This week, Dallas will see another of the NFL’s top pass-catching tight ends, Jimmy Graham of the Seattle Seahawks. Look for Jones to draw the assignment of matching up with Graham for the majority of the day.

None of this would have been possible had Claiborne not had an improbable career resurrection this season.

"According to Joe Spang of Vavel.com, “Ironically, the year away from football is what Claiborne credits for his resurgence… With injuries taking away some of his pure athleticism, Claiborne has been forced to become a smarter player. Claiborne admits that his previous film study was not in-depth. Now, he is studying every detail.” Link"

An afterthought as training camp began, the improved play of Morris Claiborne has actually helped the man brought in to replace him find his own niche in the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backfield.

Next: Ryan Mallet: Should the Cowboys sign him?

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