3 defensive free agents the Cowboys should target in 2021
By Connor Green
3. William Jackson, CB
The Dallas Cowboys secondary was pitiful last season. The unit was one of only seven in the league to allow opposing passers to have a passer rating above 100 on the year. The team also finished with only 10 interceptions on the season, tied for the fifth-fewest in the NFL.
Needless to say, the Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of help in their secondary. To make matters worse the organization also has several players in the unit hitting free agency this offseason including cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Fortunately for fans of America’s Team, there are a handful of good options both in this years’ draft class and free agency that could instantly improve the unit. One of those options is former Cincinnati Bengal cornerback William Jackson III.
The 28-year old defender played four seasons for the Bengals and will be hitting free agency this offseason. The Houston native managed to get at least ten pass deflections in three of his first four years in the league and also held receivers to an impressive 51.4 percent completion percentage on targets his way in 2020, a career-best.
According to Spotrac Jacksons’ projected market value is only a little over $6 million a year, a very affordable price for a team with limited resources this offseason. That means that the Dallas Cowboys could possibly sign Jackson and another free agent and still be under the cap.
Regardless of whether the team decides to sign Jackson, it will likely try to continue to target cornerbacks in the upcoming draft. However, by signing Jackson the team can add a solid cornerback who is entering the prime of his career and the move could potentially free up Dallas to draft the best player available with their tenth overall pick instead of dedicating that pick to address their need at the cornerback position.