Draft Rumor: Dallas Cowboys could convert CB Josh Jackson to safety
According to one NFL insider, the Dallas Cowboys could draft a cornerback early in the upcoming draft with the idea of converting him to free safety.
With the news that the Dallas Cowboys will convert former first round pick Byron Jones from safety to cornerback this offseason, his void could become a position the team opts to address early in the upcoming draft.
The two highest rated safeties going into the annual selection event, which is taking place late next week, are Derwin James out of Florida State and Minkah Fitzpatrick out of Alabama.
Unfortunately, both prospects are expected to be off-the-board by the time the Cowboys’ number is called in the first round, 19th overall. Therefore, many experts believe Dallas will be forced to address a position other than safety with their top pick.
But according to draft buzz that one NFL insider is hearing, that may not be the case. Instead, the Cowboys are rumored to be interested in Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson, with the intention of possibly converting him into a safety.
"“Cowboys [are] in the market for a wide receiver, as we all know. We’ve talked a little about [Courtland] Sutton. But a safety … a lot of talk of [Byron Jones] moving to corner, which frees them up for a safety.” said NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah on the Move the Sticks podcast on Monday. “If Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick are both gone, the sleeper name I have there is actually at corner, and that’s Josh Jackson out of Iowa converting to safety.”"
Touted as a possible first round selection, Jackson was a one-year wonder at Iowa. The 6-foot-1, 196 pound cornerback posted 48 total tackles, a whopping 26 passed defended and eight interceptions for the Hawkeyes as a one-year starter in 2017.
Jackson is touted for his lanky frame, long arms and excellent football instincts. The latter being something Byron Jones severely lacked at the position in Dallas for the past two seasons.
The native of Corinth, TX is a true ballhawk and could be the defensive playmaker this Cowboys defense has needed in their secondary at safety. Don’t believe me? Checkout this one-handed interception Jackson recorded against Ohio State.
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Although, Josh Jackson is an inconsistent tackler and not much of a run-defender, converting a corner like him could finally be the solution this Dallas Cowboys team has been desperately searching for at the free safety position.