Cowboys desperate for defensive backs
The Dallas Cowboys won 13 games last year. And while a lot of the team’s success revolved around the rookies on offense — Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, not to mention the offensive line — defensively the ‘Boys were much better than people expected.
It’s going to be much more difficult to replicate that kind of success in 2017 without nailing the draft. Dallas watched four defensive backs who logged considerable time last year walk out the door in free agency. Safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. Cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr signed with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
These four players were absolutely key to Dallas’ defense last year.
In losing Carr, Church, Wilcox and Claiborne, the Cowboys have to replace 2,679 snaps from 2016.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 16, 2017
Needless to say, defensive woes could lead to a down year for the ‘Boys, which is something we explored in detail here.
But if Jerry Jones and Co. can find some starting-caliber defensive backs and impact pass rushers in the upcoming draft — one that’s loaded with potential stars on the defensive side of the ball — then perhaps this team won’t skip a beat.