The Dallas Cowboys finally joined Monday's signing frenzy, agreeing to terms with longtime Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson.
It's a three-year, $33 million deal with a max value of $36 million, per NFL Network. A very fair reflection of the market, and it gives Dallas a new starter in the secondary it badly needed.
On top of being the last line of defense, Thompson has the versatility to play in the nickel corner and drop inside the box. That will prove valuable to not only new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, but also the front office, which can continue to add players all over the secondary, knowing that Thompson can line up anywhere.
It's been a long time since the Cowboys had a true chess piece in their secondary, and Thompson's arrival likely confirms the end of the Donovan Wilson era.
The Dallas Cowboys likely won't bring back Donovan Wilson after signing Jalen Thompson
Thompson is everything in a safety that Wilson isn't. While Wilson can drop into the box, he's only useful getting downhill and blitzing. He doesn't have the range to track down ball carriers sideline to sideline, and he's often caught out in coverage, even against tight ends.
Wilson's deficiencies in coverage showed up in a big way last season, as Matt Eberflus insisted on playing him deep, exposing his lack of range and instincts. He was also at the center of countless communication breakdowns in the secondary.
Despite not being a traditional free safety, Thompson is a great communicator. His range and sure-handed tackling will make a world of difference, as he only missed 12 tackles in his final two seasons with Arizona, per PFF.
Wilson, on the other hand, missed 18 (!) tackles last season and 14 in 2024 -- a product of both his declining speed (ball-carriers running away from him) and lackluster discipline.
That isn't to say that Wilson wasn't a solid Cowboy. Not many sixth-round picks turn into starters with the team that drafted them, let alone appear in 98 games. He really peaked during Dan Quinn's stint as DC, and fans won't soon forget the aggression he played with.
But it's time to move on.