Dallas Cowboys: This player will lead team in interceptions in 2017

The Dallas Cowboys remade their secondary this season so who is the most likely to lead the team in interceptions?

The Dallas Cowboys gave themselves quite the makeover this past offseason. With the secondary stuck in a perpetual state of mediocrity, the Cowboys rolled the dice and churned the roster. This wasn’t a Bill Parcells-ian type of churn that only involved low-level pieces. This was a massive churn that sent over 2,500 snaps packing, only to be replaced by players who are either career role players or unproven rookies.

As mentioned months ago, the players who left in free agency were allowed to go. The Dallas Cowboys did little, if anything, to retain them. Barry Church would have been nice to keep but certainly not at the cost it would have taken. Nope, Dallas wanted to rebuild the roster because they knew the only way to improve was to re-cast.

After years of ranking at the bottom of the league in the interception department, the Cowboys made a concentrated effort to find ballhawks, and the draft provided those opportunities…

The Draft

The top natural ballhawk in the draft is arguably Jourdan Lewis. The former Wolverine has quite the highlight reel of interceptions. And despite the small stature, he’s a big-time player always looking to make a big-time play on the ball.

The only problem with Lewis is his rawness. Lewis has done next-to-nothing with the Cowboys because of a nagging hamstring injury. With more proven options available to the team, it’s unlikely the Cowboys will turn to Lewis anytime soon.

Chidobe Awuzie, the Cowboys second round selection, is a jack-of-all-trades type of defensive back. Smart, savvy, and a versatile, Awuzie figures to log a ton of playing time as a rookie. Despite a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of most preseason action, Awuzie is ready to make an impact the moment he’s medically cleared.

Awuzie can play slot cornerback, outside cornerback, dime linebacker, and safety. Because of this, he’s figures to earn significant snaps even though he won’t have a starting role.

Will either of the rookies lead the team in interceptions this season? That’s probably a stretch but given their skill sets, it certainly can’t be ruled out. The better bet is that these two players will make a more significant impact in the turnover department NEXT season when roles become better established.

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The Vets

Orlando Scandrick and Nolan Carroll are the OG’s of the cornerback group. Yet, it’s pretty unlikely they will be leading the team in interceptions this season. And if they do it’s more indicative of the secondaries failures than these two players’ success.

That may sound like a slam but the reality is these two outside corners just aren’t ballhawks. For as much as we all love and respect what Scandy brings to the table, the guy couldn’t intercept a pass if his life depended on it.

Entering his 10^th NFL season, Scandrick only has eight interceptions to his name. He’s never exceeded two in a season and has averaged less than one per year. Things aren’t suddenly going to click for him in 2017.

Nolan Carroll is in a similar situation. Entering his eighth NFL season, Carroll has eight interceptions. Three is the most he’s ever pulled in over the course of a season but even that was back in 2013 with the Miami Dolphins.

The Safeties

Replacing Barry Church in the starting lineup is career Cowboy, Jeff Heath. With a proven nose for the ball, Heath led the Cowboys in interceptions last season and that was only serving as No. 4 role player. While he’s a good bet to lead the team again now that his snap count is about to explode, he will be sharing duties with Kavon Frazier and the aforementioned Chidobe Awuzie.

The Dallas Cowboys’ special teams also desperately need Heath (arguably their core member), meaning the Cowboys have good reason to keep his snap count somewhat modest on defense.

Byron Jones, though, may just be coming into his own…

Byron Jones, the third-year safety out of Connecticut, hit his stride this summer. The former first round pick is expected to play every defensive snap, and as the best coverage player on the roster, he’s expected to be in man coverage most of the time.

Don’t let any preseason game miscues mislead you. Jones was beastly in Cowboys Camp this summer. Rod Marinelli will put him in position to make plays and Jones finally appears ready to take that next big step.

Next: Is Dak Prescott the best QB in the NFC East?

How Many?

How many interceptions will it take to lead this Cowboys secondary in interceptions? More than a pair, which we’ve sadly grown accustomed to. Even without a strong pass rush, expect the Cowboys to increase their interception numbers this season. And I predict Byron Jones to lead the way with five picks.

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