Analyzing the Cowboys safety unit before the 2023 regular season
By John Herndon
The creation of his big nickel grouping has turned defensive coordinator Dan Quinn into the Victor Frankenstein of the Dallas Cowboys. King Ghidorah will improve even more in their third season together.
In 2022, the trio of Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, and Malik Hooker formed one of the league's top safety units for Dallas. During training camp and preseason, we witnessed an expansion of the safety position and the Cowboys ended up keeping five safeties on the 53-man roster.
It's possible that Markquese Bell could fill the role that was planned for DeMarvion Overshown. I believe Bell is better suited to play safety instead of linebacke, but Quinn clearly sees similarities in Bell and Overshown's games.
Let's analyze the state of the safety position before Sunday's season opener.
Jayron Kearse
On March 30, 2021, Kearse joined the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. He became the starting strong safety for the Cowboys and achieved a career-high 101 tackles, one sack, 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
Kearse parlayed that showing into a two-year, $10 million extension last offseason.
In his two years with the Cowboys, Kearse has demonstrated versatility. He can cover athletic tight ends in passing situations, help with the running game, and blitz effectively.
In the past two seasons, he has recorded two interceptions and 11 overall pressures in each. In seven seasons, he has never missed more than four tackles. He's an outstanding football player on one of the best defenses in the NFL.