Cowboys should sign newly-released Patriot to cover weakest spot on defense

Fans can't have any qualms with the Dallas Cowboys defense after Sunday's 49-17 beatdown of the New York Giants. The pass rush produced five sacks and seven QB hits, and the Giants managed just 10 points on the scoreboard before they scored a touchdown with six seconds left in the game.

Of course, you can only take so much stock from a performance against an undrafted rookie quarterback who made his first career NFL start.

In terms of the bigger picture, the Cowboys defense has some areas of concern. Cornerback is one position fans have pointed to in that regard.

While DaRon Bland and Stephon Gilmore have held down the fort following Trevon Diggs' season-ending injury, veteran Jourdan Lewis has been a liability in the slot all year.

With Lewis coming off another so-so outing against the Giants, the Cowboys should look into signing second-year pro Jack Jones, whom the Patriots waived on Monday in a shocking shake-up leading into the bye week.

Cowboys should sign former Patriots cornerback Jack Jones

A fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2022, Jones hasn't piggybacked off a strong rookie season like New England had hoped.

Jones actually made Pro Football Focus' midseason All-Pro team last year. In 13 games, he allowed just a 50% completion rate on 40 targets and a 63.1 passer rating when targeted. He only conceded one touchdown and posted two interceptions and six passes defended. Impressive numbers for a rookie corner.

Jones has taken a step back in year two, but that can be attributed to an inconsistent role in Bill Belichick's defense. He hardly saw the field the last two games and checked out mentally as a result. Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, Jones was spotted "sitting on the bench with a towel draped over his head while other reserve players stood on the sideline in the event they were unexpectedly thrust into action."

It's clear Jones would benefit from a change of scenery. What better place than Dallas, where he'd (seemingly) be given a chance to compete for the starting nickel position? The Cowboys clearly don't trust rookie Eric Scott Jr. and fellow backups Nahshon Wright and Noah Igbinoghene only play on the outside.

Lewis has played the lion's share of the snaps in the slot this season and he's allowed 14.0 yards per reception and a 134.3 passer rating, per PFF. Nearly everyone on the Cowboys defense is having a solid season with the exception of Lewis. The front office would be smart to add more competition in the slot.

Jones won't step in and start right away, but he'd give Dallas more experience among its depth options in the nickel, which is currently the weakest point of the defense thanks to Markquese Bell becoming a stud at linebacker.

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