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Dallas Cowboys: Top-5 Free Agent Safeties to target

By Reid Hanson

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 23: Defensive back Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball after an interception over wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Anthony Harris, SS

The top name on many free agent boards is the Minnesota Vikings’ starting strong safety, Anthony Harris. Harris, 28, has now put together two consecutive elite seasons and is going to command top dollar on the free agent market this offseason.

Harris, Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 rated safety in the NFL in 2019, received their top score for his pass coverage. And considering QBs are only averaging 6.3 yards/target and a 43.1 passer rating when targeting him, it’s hard to argue with his league best rating.

Did I mention he had six interceptions and 11 pass deflections last season?

Yeah, Anthony Harris would be a significant upgrade at the safety position and would form quite the duo matched with Xavier Woods next season. He’d be expensive, but he’d allow Dallas to turn their attention to positions other than safety during the draft.

Jimmie Ward, FS

Jimmie Ward, the San Francisco 49ers free safety, is unrestricted after the season. The 29-year-old has been a rock for their vaunted defense and 2019 marked his best season as a pro. Pro Football Focus ranks his play 7th in the NFL this past season and Ward has scored equally high against the run as he did against the pass.

Ward is one of the most balanced safeties in the NFL and can play a variety of spots serving a variety of roles. Last season he alternated between safety and cornerback and only allowed a 54.5% completion rate. This season his completion rate increased slightly to 58.1% but his yards/completion dropped from 17.8 to 9.6.

The 49ers lean on Ward a lot and are going to try to re-sign him, but with a questionable injury history, they may be hesitant to break the bank. If Dallas goes in guns a’blazin they could steal him – but it won’t be cheap.

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