Dallas Cowboys: Three remaining free agents to consider in 2021
By Connor Green
2. Casey Hayward, CB
The Dallas Cowboys secondary was awful last season. The unit was one of only seven that allowed opposing passers to throw for a passer rating of 100 or better last year. Obviously, the team could use help in this unit. The team has also done embarrassingly little (at the time of this writing) to address their dire need at the cornerback position outside of re-signing cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
This need could be more sufficiently addressed if the Cowboys signed veteran cornerback Casey Hayward Jr., who was released by the Los Angeles Chargers last month.
The 31-year old defender led the NFL in interceptions with seven back in 2016 but has not quite reached those heights since. The two-time Pro Bowler had just one interception and eight pass deflections last season in his 13 starts for the Chargers.
The argument for signing Hayward is remarkably similar to the argument for signing McCoy. He is a veteran player who Dallas could potentially nab for a reasonable price at this stage in the free agency period. He would also provide a veteran presence for the teams’ secondary which, like its interior defensive line, is headlined by relatively young players like Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis.
This move would also give the team a bit more flexibility with its top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft (tenth-overall pick). Many fans and analysts have, correctly, pointed out that America’s Team desperately needs to both add depth and upgrade its corners, and signing Hayward Jr. would at least somewhat alleviate that need.
The Dallas Cowboys could add a veteran presence to its young defense and give themselves more flexibility with the tenth pick in the draft. Getting Casey Hayward Jr. may not solve all of the teams’ secondary concerns, but it is a start.