Projected defensive front runners to make Cowboys final 53

The safety position was very tricky but I think the Dallas Cowboys are going to be better this upcoming season than they have had before. Until someone proves they are the stud this team has been looking for, this group will have to rely on the strength of another group in order for them to flourish as a position group.

Free safety Damontae Kazee figures to man the free safety position as long as his recovery from a major knee injury doesn’t derail his progress. His recovery is crucial as there doesn’t seem to be a free safety like him on the roster.

Donovan Wilson is probably hoping that a new number change can significantly increase the numbers in his bank account. Most would figure Wilson to be the starter at strong safety but I would also pencil him in as the backup free safety.

I know Dallas has traditionally employed safeties that play interchangeable roles but I think that has more to do with need rather than want. Kazee is probably the closest safety we have all been asking for for years but I think Wilson is currently the best choice for second place.

I would like for the Dallas Cowboys to bring in former Indianapolis Colts free safety Malik Hooker just so that the Dallas Cowboys can have more than one safety who can play single high without worry.

Unless that happens, the backup safeties are more like the types we are accustomed to in Dallas. Strong safeties that excel near the line of scrimmage yet sometimes struggle in coverage, earn a spot due to their special teams’ play and are extremely affordable.

If you think back you can probably place most of the qualities of what I just mentioned in every safety this team has employed in the last ten years. Free-agent signee Jayron Kearse fits this profile which is why the team probably went after him.

I have Kearse as my backup strong safety and could be pressed into serious action if Wilson has to slide over to free safety if an injury were to occur to Kazee. Kearse also plays a big special team role which bumps another DB off of the roster which I will discuss a bit later.

Incumbent safety Darian Thompson was someone who I thought would get better with the more reps he received but he proved to be a liability in coverage at times also. He does carry a bigger price tag than most so Thompson has to significantly separate himself from the younger cheaper options in order to make his case.

Safeties Stephen Parker, Deante Burton, and Tyler Coyle both feel like they have an uphill climb in a thin safety group so you can understand my cries to give Hooker another look. The team could move second-year defensive back Reggie Robinson II back to safety but the back and forth for him feels like a kiss of death for him.

The release of Burton and Thompson would give the Cowboys around $2.1 million of salary-cap space. Thompson’s salary alone is larger than what presumed starting safety Kazee is set to make this season.

I am going to give the final roster spot to rookie Israel Mukuamu because I am intrigued with a larger college cornerback making the transition to safety. He obviously has the speed to compete at corner but he might be a little too stiff for the position on film. A move to safety should allow him to better utilize his speed without being turned around by wideouts.

Most of his college interceptions came when he was backpedaling with his eyes on the quarterback.

Safety (4) (37)

• Damontae Kazee (FS1)
• Donovan Wilson (SS1)
• Jayron Kearse (SS2)
• Israel Mukuamu (S3)