Dallas Cowboys: 5 biggest questions circling the defense

The Dallas Cowboys have spent their last two first round picks on defense. On the heels of the draft, what are the unit’s lingering questions?

For several seasons now, the Dallas Cowboys defense has been seen as this team’s weakest link. But after a heavy defensive draft in 2017 and the use of their first round pick on a linebacker this year, is this side of the ball ready to bypass their offense?

Whether they are or not will be answered on the field this season. But there are several questions still circling this defense in Dallas. Here are our choices of the top five concerns going into OTA’s and minicamp.

#1. Who is starting at free safety?

When the Cowboys opted to move safety Byron Jones to cornerback this offseason, they left a major void in their defensive secondary. And it’s one Dallas has refused to fill in either free agency or in the draft, despite several worthy candidates.

A possible trade for Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas could still be in the cards. But for now, it appears the Cowboys seem more than satisfied to bank their immediate future on 2017 sixth round selection Xavier Woods.

Dallas could also opt to transition last year’s second round selection, Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie, to free safety as well. But the first-year cornerback played so well when he actually got on the field last season that moving the young defender may not be in the best interest of the player.

Although Awuzie did play cornerback, safety and linebacker in college, he did get injured while playing at the safety position in Dallas last season. For now, Woods, Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier will battle it out for significant playing time.