Cowboys 53-man roster prediction after preseason Week 1

Safety (5):

Jayron Kearse
Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Israel Mukuamu
Markquese Bell

For years with Jason Garrett and Rod Marinelli, the safety position didn’t matter. Dallas constantly balked at adding anyone via the draft before Round 5 and they were never interested in retaining a player who earned a pay raise.

With Dan Quinn, this seems to have changed. While they haven’t used an early pick on the position, they did add three free agents in 2021. Those players were Damontae Kazee (who worked with Quinn in Atlanta), Malik Hooker, and Jayron Kearse.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1466598137494052864?s=20&t=pnXsJV-c405_nFuuaHVmUw

Kearse turned out to be a star for Big D and led the team in tackles. Hooker started out slow as he was recovering from a ruptured Achilles but then turned it on as the season went along. Both were retained on two-year deals, giving this secondary some uncommon security at a position that has been a huge need in years past.

Quinn does like to employ three safeties often, which is where Donovan Wilson comes in. He’s a player who can make a huge impact but the question will be whether or not he stays as he nears the end of his rookie deal.

Second-year man Israel Mukuamu and rookie Markquese Bell are the final two that make it. Bell showed some promise in Week 1 and Mukuamu is a converted corner that can help in coverage.