Report: Dallas Cowboys attempted to trade for Kenny Vaccaro
According to a report, the Dallas Cowboys attempted to trade for New Orleans safety Kenny Vaccaro last year. Will they now pursue him in free agency?
The Dallas Cowboys could soon be in need of a safety. And they might already have a veteran free agent in mind. This offseason, speculation surrounding the Cowboys is that they may decide to shift former first round selection, Byron Jones, from safety back to corner. Jones played the position as a rookie in Dallas back in 2015.
If the Cowboys do opt to make this move, Jones would join a pretty crowded secondary at the cornerback position. Last offseason, the Cowboys drafted Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie and Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis in the second and third rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft respectively. By the end of the season, those two rookies were Dallas’ starting cornerbacks.
Along with Lewis and Awuzie, Jones would also be in a battle for playing time with corners like Anthony Brown, possibly Marquez White and longtime veteran Orlando Scandrick. And it’s a recent report involving Scandrick that could indicate how the Cowboys might change up their defensive secondary in 2018.
According to longtime Dallas writer Clarence Hill Jr., the Cowboys were in talks with the New Orleans Saints last season about trading Scandrick for safety Kenny Vaccaro. Obviously, a deal never materialized. Yet, even the conversation means the two sides had some interest in these players.
The Saints and Cowboys discussed a trade Kenny Vaccaro for Orlando Scandrick last years. Might Saints be interested in Scandrick again via trade or as a free agent pickup. Rams could also be intriguing landing spot if they dont resign their nickle cb
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 27, 2018
If Dallas does indeed intend to move Byron Jones back to corner this offseason, they would likely want to move on from the soon-to-be 32-year old Scandrick as well, who is scheduled to cost $5,281,021 against the Cowboys salary cap in 2018.
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In turn, the possible positional shift for Byron Jones opens up a starting safety role in Dallas. One that Vaccaro, who is scheduled to become a free agent next month, could be signed to fill. A former first round pick out of Texas in 2013, the 27-year old safety has struggled with consistency his entire career in New Orleans. But last season was arguably Vaccaro’s best, recording 60 total, tackles, 1.5 sacks, seven pass defends and a career-high three interceptions.