Should the Dallas Cowboys bring back Barry Church?

With the recent release of longtime defender Barry Church by the Jaguars, should the Dallas Cowboys considering claiming their former safety?

One of the biggest areas of need for the Dallas Cowboys all season has been at safety. So much so, Dallas seemed to spend most of the year flirting with the possibility of making a trade for Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. That was, of course, until Thomas broke his leg in Week Four.

Even without a premier safety, the Cowboys have been able to field a defense many consider to be the best in the NFL. And despite the perceived lack of talent at the position, starters Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath haven’t made any egregious errors that have hurt the team defensively. But there is certainly a lack of playmakers within the entire secondary.

On Friday, a roster move by the Jacksonville Jaguars may have given the Cowboys an opportunity to improve their safety position. After nearly two seasons with Jaguars, 27 total games, the team has opted to waive 30-year old safety Barry Church.

The ninth-year veteran was benched the past two games in favor of rookie Ronnie Harrison after starting in the Jags first 11 games this season. Harrison was Jacksonville’s third round selection in this year’s draft out of Alabama.

Church joined the Jaguars last season as a free agent after spending the first seven years of his career in Dallas. He posted a career-high four interceptions along with 74 tackles, 1.5 sacks and his first defensive touchdown for Jacksonville in 2017 . A year later and Church is now on the waiver wire.

But should the Dallas Cowboys put in a claim for their former safety? Certainly, Dallas could use the depth at safety as they prepare for a playoff run. Behind Heath and Woods on the depth chart are Kavon Frazier and Darian Thompson. If the Cowboys did add Barry Church, it would likely be as a key reserve as Dallas might prefer to keep Woods in the starting role to further develop the much younger defender.