Why veteran safety Reshad Jones makes sense as an option for the Cowboys in free agency

Talent acquisition is a 365 day a year job according to Stephen Jones. Could Reshad Jones, the 32-year-old veteran safety, be in the Cowboys talent acquisition plans leading up to training camp?

Safety is one of the few positions on the roster where a veteran presence could be used. With the amount of bodies at corner, receiver, offensive line, and defensive line, safety is the one spot that lacks talent at the top, and veteran depth on the roster. As of today, Xavier Woods and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix are slated to be the starting two safeties. Behind them, Darian Thompson, a veteran journeyman who has spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys, and Donovan Wilson, are the only two players with a likely chance to win a roster spot. There has been some talk of rookie cornerback Reggie Robinson getting some looks at safety as well, but those talks are all preliminary as of now. For years the Cowboys have had solid players such as Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier to rely on, but that depth is now in other places.

Reshad Jones makes a ton of sense for the Cowboys, starting with his experience and ability to play multiple spots in the secondary in Mike Nolan’s defense. Jones has spent time at both free safety and strong safety throughout his 10-year career in the NFL. In that span, he’s recorded 776 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, and 21 interceptions. While the Cowboys secondary is going to look extremely different in 2020, it’s going to lack veteran experience.

Xavier Woods is still a young player, that has shown the ability to lack confidence as a tackler and cover man. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is on his fourth team in his young career, and the inconsistencies are what has led to his departure at all those stops. Darian Thompson has been a solid contributor for the Cowboys the last two seasons, especially on special teams, but anything more than that would be considered a reach. Donovan Wilson has yet to see NFL playing time outside of the preseason. For that reason alone it makes sense to kick the tires on Jones who has started 113 games in the NFL.

The other reason? When Jones is on the field and healthy, he’s been one of the best safeties in the entire National Football League. Is Reshad Jones the type of player that puts this team over the top? Probably not, but it would offer a quality, veteran presence at a position of need that lacks quality depth as of today. Safety is the one position they have space to bring in a free agent, and the former Miami Dolphin would improve the safety outlook tremendously even in his early thirties.