The Dallas Cowboys top five position battles of 2017

Potential Strong Safety Candidates Continued

Xavier Woods – 5’11”, 205 pounds

Woods is a rookie that the Cowboys traded up to grab in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Dallas staff thinks very highly of him and feel like they got extreme value by selecting him so late on day three of the draft. The first thing that jumps out to you about Woods is his versatility.

Woods is more of a natural free safety, but has shown that he is more than capable of playing near the line of scrimmage and stopping ball carriers in their tracks. Xavier also has tape that proves he is a great blitzer that can get home as a pass rusher.

Woods could present the Cowboys defense with a unique opportunity to play as an interchangeable safety with Byron Jones– where both players share the roles of free safety and strong safety at times. He has yet to play a snap but he is likely the second best safety in coverage on the roster already.

Kavon Frazier – 6’0, 215 pounds

Frazier saw limited action as a rookie sixth round pick in 2016, but he did record six special teams tackles. Frazier has the frame and instincts to be very solid in run support as a strong safety but will have to prove that he is capable of covering the deep half of the field in cover 2 if he wants to earn the starting job. Expect for Frazier to mostly play special teams this season unless he can really take advantage of opportunities he is given to impress the coaching staff.

Robert Blanton – 6’1″, 201 pounds

Blanton is a five year NFL veteran that was recently signed by the Cowboys for depth purposes. Blanton does have several NFL starts to his name but is considered more of a core special teamer. His size indicates he is a better fit as a free safety and he will really have to outperform his competition at safety to earn a roster spot let alone the starting job.

Jameill Showers – 6’2″, 230 pounds

Showers, a converted quarterback that is trying his luck at safety, has tremendous athleticism and a willingness to learn the position. He has a solid frame that would make him an ideal strong safety. The coaches have kept him around for a reason but it will be up to him to make some eye popping plays in training camp and in preseason games to prove that he is capable of making the team and earning playing time.