3 changes Dan Quinn must make to save Cowboys defense after awful TNF performance

1. Bench Donovan Wilson for Juanyeh Thomas

Is Juanyeh Thomas the Cowboys' best safety? Malik Hooker might have something to say about that, but Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse have been dreadful.

Thursday was another forgettable game for Wilson, who was out of position on D.K. Metcalf's long touchdown in the first quarter and was lost in coverage all night. He also missed a tackle on Zach Charbonnet's touchdown run in the second quarter.

Thomas, meanwhile, has made the most of his limited opportunities this season. He's played less than 100 snaps, but has a 84.9 player grade, per PFF. He's been strong against the run with seven defensive stops and a 70.9 run-defense grade.

Where Thomas is needed most, though, is in coverage. Wilson and Kearse have both looked a step slow and Thomas owns a 83.4 coverage grade, allowing 7 catches on 11 targets for 57 yards with three pass breakups.

Beyond the numbers, you can never question Thomas' effort. That matters more than you think, as fans have questioned the collective effort and hustle of the Cowboys on multiple occasions this season.

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