Dollars and Sense: Is Cornerback the Cowboys biggest need?

After years trying to build an elite secondary, the Dallas Cowboys need to start over from scratch using the draft and free agency to replenish the roster.

Welcome to the finale of the free agency preview only found on The Landry Hat entitled Dollars and Sense.

By now, if you have been following this series, you’re aware of the fact that I believe the best path the Cowboys can take in free agency is to upgrade the backup quarterback and starting wide receiver positions with mid-tier options such as Colt McCoy and Rishard Matthews.

Where the Cowboys should splurge, in my opinion is the starting running back spot with Chris Ivory, as well as an edge rusher like former Miami standout Olivier Vernon.

Is that where it should end for the Dallas Cowboys in their quest to improve their roster and attempt to obtain that seemingly ever elusive sixth Super Bowl ring?

Absolutely not.

The last position that needs to be addressed by this team is that of the cornerback.

Last season, Brandon Carr (16) and Morris Claiborne (11) were the two players who accumulated the most starts at the position. Rookie first round draft choice Byron Jones spent time at both corner and safety and Dallas’ best player at the position, Orlando Scandrick tore his ACL in training camp and never played.

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Together, the four combined for zero interceptions.

Say whatever you like about scheme, assignments or any other fancy window dressing you want to put up, zero interceptions from your three best players in 506 pass attempts defensed is deplorable.

In fact, the only two Cowboys cornerbacks to register an interception in 2015 were Ayodeji Olatoye and Terrance Mitchell. Both players didn’t even join the team until the Thanksgiving holiday had come and gone.

If this was a one year problem, then maybe you could write it off as just a bad year and move on.

Unfortunately, this is a trend.

Carr joined the Cowboys in 2012 and has posted just six total interceptions, none in the last two seasons. Claiborne also joined the team in 2012 and has a mere three interceptions in four years.

Safe to say when Dallas gave Carr $50.1 million dollars and traded a second round pick to move up to the sixth overall spot to bring in Claiborne, they had much loftier aspirations for the duo than that.

Clearly, it’s time to move on.

Jones is an excellent athlete and has a bright future in the league, but that future is likely at the safety spot. Scandrick should come back just fine from the injury however his skill set is best suited for covering slot receivers. Olatoye and Mitchell are nice fourth or fifth guys but should not be prime time starters.

That leaves Dallas in desperate need to address the cornerback position in multiple ways.

I’ve been pretty clear that I hope they use their fourth round pick on Florida State standout Jalen Ramsey. Yes, there are rumblings he will likely end up being a better safety than corner as well but even that ends up being true, you have a top notch safety combination for many years to come.

Regardless, Ramsey is only one man. You still need another guy on the outside or possibly two.

Good thing that there was news that came out today regarding a decent jump in the salary cap for 2016. Reports are that the cap will be in excess of $155 million in 2016, nearly $12M more than last season.

The Cowboys should use this bump wisely as mentioned above but certainly should look towards some cover guys available on the open market.

Casey Hayward, Sean Smith and Trumaine Johnson are all younger guys who have proved they belong in this league. Smith (6’2″, 215 lbs) and Johnson (6’1″ 205 lbs.) provide excellent size which is extremely helpful in this day and age. As for Hayward, he seems to play some of the most technically sound coverage you will see on the perimeter.

All three would be upgrades over Carr and Claiborne. If Dallas cannot land any of these three, they could always go back to a few former Cowboys as both Adam Jones and Terence Newman are also available.

Jones certainly has a lot left in the tank after being named an All-Pro in 2014 and a Pro Bowler in 2015 and while Newman is nearing the end of his career, he would be a great mentor for someone like Ramsey.

Whichever way the Cowboys choose to go, one thing is certain. The play from the defensive backs needs an upgrade. The dollars will be there to do so.

Will Dallas have the sense to make a move?

Next: Cowboys Free Agency: 15 Bargain Basement Players

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