5 young Dallas Cowboys who should shine in 2021

2. Donovan Wilson, S

Perhaps fans of the Cowboys have finally had their prayers answered with the ascension of safety Donovan Wilson this season. Wilson is just the latest sixth-rounder to attempt to be the defensive playmaker that this team has desperately needed for years.

Posting 53 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and forcing three forced fumbles as a seven-game starter so far this year, Wilson’s play has many scratching their heads as to why the Cowboys opted to start Darian Thompson ahead of him for the first four games of the season.

The reality is the Cowboys have deemed the safety position as one they can underinvest in and still get middling production from. And perhaps players like Wilson and Xavier Woods have proven them to be right.

It now appears that the hard-hitting Wilson will be the favorite to start next season and potentially replace Woods in Dallas, another former sixth-rounder who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Last year, Wilson flashed his playmaking ability as a rookie recording three interceptions in four preseason games. His play in his second year has only continued to promote the storyline that the Cowboys may have unearthed another late-round gem and potential star defender in 2021.