6 Dallas Cowboys free-agent defenders: Retain or liberate?

DB Chidobe Awuzie

Former second-round pick and defensive back Chidobe “Chido” Awuzie has not had the type of impact most of us thought he would have when the Cowboys selected him out of Colorado. Chido has been a decent player but the lack of interceptions is an underlying reason why I feel like the team allowed Byron Jones to leave via free agency.

I think Chido modeled his game after Jones but doesn’t have his athleticism to do what Jones did for this defense. I think a perfect comparison to Chido would be former Dallas Cowboys first-rounder Morris Claiborne.

Chido reminds me so much of this player and if Chido were a first-round pick, the comparisons and critics would possibly have the same things to say about both players. Nonetheless, Chido might have some interest on the open market as cornerbacks that have consistently started in this league are hard to find.

I would not be opposed to bringing back Chido as a backup outside corner with a move to safety being a more appropriate spot for this young player. I just cannot envision a scenario where this team is content with what they are trotting out on defense every Sunday. Things have to change and this is a good place to start.

If the Dallas Cowboys continue on their current trajectory, I can see a scenario where the Cowboys take Alabama University cornerback Patrick Surtain II to pair with last year’s second-rounder out of Alabama Trevon Diggs to form a young and talented duo.

Having Chido and Anthony brown as backups could possibly have the Amari Cooper effect. When a team gets a young stud at a certain position, it puts the current incumbent into the spot where they should have been all along.

Some free agents that will likely be available are Arizona’s Patrick Peterson or San Franciso’s Richard Sherman. Both are aging players but could provide depth and experience to such a young secondary.