Dallas Cowboys: Will Byron Jones finally have a breakout season?

Dallas Cowboys defensive back Byron Jones has largely underwhelmed thus far in his NFL career. Will a position switch do him justice?

When the Dallas Cowboys selected the versatile Byron Jones with the 27th pick of the 2015 NFL draft, most fans thought the team had finally found its starting free safety of the future.

However, things didn’t necessarily go as planned.

After a promising rookie year in which Byron Jones played a hybrid safety/slot corner role, it would be assumed that Jones would be a vital cog in the defensive backfield. His ability to defend tight ends was there, but his role as a last line defender was unclear. Unfortunately for Byron, the physicality and timing typically associated with that role would never come to develop.

Jones has struggled as a full-time safety, where he hasn’t necessarily been the physical specimen many hoped he would be upon assuming that role. He played both safety roles last season, before ceding playing time to Kavon Frazier, a natural safety who plays with a physicality that can’t be taught.

With new defensive backs coach Kris Richard in the fold, Jones would see a position shift back to cornerback, where, unlike safety, he has the physical traits to actually be an imposing player at his position.

Jones spoke to WFAA about some of those traits in Richard’s defensive scheme, which typically boats big, lanky cornerbacks like Jones:

"“My responsibility as a corner now is make sure I get a good jam for the safety. I’ve been in that position where you have to spread out to the sideline and make a play, and it ain’t easy,” Jones told WFAA.” The idea for him is to use your athleticism, use your length. So that starts at the line of scrimmage and getting hands on a receivers and not bailing out of there too early. Challenge the receivers.”"

For really the first time in his career, Jones actually has the upper-hand at his full-time position. He was a bit undersized for a safety, and never known for his hitting ability in the open field. Now, Jones has the advantage—at least from a size standpoint.

Jones is a physically imposing cornerback, who’s shown he can matchup one-on-one with some big guys (remember the job he did on Rob Gronkowski his rookie season?). He’s clearly better when focusing on one player, or one zone, rather than having to freelance around in an unfamiliar position to make plays.

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There’s going to be a bit of a learning curve for Byron Jones, but he’s obviously an intelligent, physically-gifted player. And, for once, the former first rounder may actually be in a position to succeed.