Dallas Cowboys finally believe they have a need at safety

After years of fans pleading for the team to make an upgrade at safety, the Dallas Cowboys appear to finally agree this offseason.

Last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys made a critical move in their secondary that allowed them to become an elite defense in 2018. That move was the addition of former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard to the Cowboys’ coaching staff.

And one of the first things Richard did as Dallas’ new passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach was switch former first-rounder Byron Jones from safety back to cornerback. The move likely saved Jones from posting a mediocre career and made him a first-time Pro Bowl last season.

But his absence at safety left the Cowboys with a void to fill. And despite their efforts to trade for Seahawks’ All-Pro safety Earl Thomas last offseason, Dallas continued to sing the praises of former sixth-round selection Xavier Woods. The 191st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft started 14 games for the Cowboys last year. Woods recorded 56 total tackles, nine pass defends, two interceptions and had one forced fumble.

Last season was the second straight-year Jeff Heath has been the starter at safety. Heath posted 85 combined tackles, five pass defends, one interception and one forced fumble in 2018. Originally undrafted out of Saginaw Valley in 2013, the six-year veteran has spent most of his career as a special teams ace.

The Cowboys appear to see the 23-year old Woods as their safety of the future. So it now appears it is Heath’s starting role that is in jeopardy. Since the start of free agency, the Cowboys have reportedly met with three different veteran safeties. Those players being Eric Berry, George Iloka and Clayton Geathers. The latter ended up re-signing with the Indianapolis Colts just this past week.

Update: After this story was published news broke that the Cowboys had agreed to sign George Iloka to a one-year deal.

For years, fans have been begging the Dallas Cowboys for an upgrade at safety. For most fans, that player was Earl Thomas, who was recently signed by the Baltimore Ravens. But finally, the Cowboys seem to agree about a need at the position. And the team is looking for a safety to add to their secondary at long last. If they don’t find someone in free agency, you have to believe it’s a priority for Dallas in the draft.