Dallas Cowboys: 5 Most concerning positions heading into 2020
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys’ Concern No. 4: SAF
This concern is seemingly written in permanent marker and carried over year after year: The Dallas Cowboys have long neglected the safety position and this season doesn’t look a whole lot different.
Sure, you can point to the signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as a deviation from their neglectful stance they’ve had in the past, but Ha Ha isn’t without concern and may be resting more on name and first round pick reputation than actual play on the field.
Ha Ha isn’t George Iloka 2.0 or anything (a free agent Dallas signed last season only to cut later in training camp) but he’s also not the second coming of Darren Woodson. He’s had an up and down career that fills a hole but doesn’t instill a ton of confidence heading into 2020.
Ha Ha has some pretty plays and some absolute back-breaking mistakes. That’s why he was available for just $4 million this season and that’s why he only got a 1-year commitment. It would be one thing if Ha Ha was matched with a Pro Bowler at safety but his running mate, Xavier Woods, also has some questions to his game. Many expected Woods to break out in 2019 but instead he plateaued.
Both expected starters are trying to prove something this season and earn that big contract in 2021. Having one player like that is good but two is a little concerning.
Joining the safety group concern is Chidobe Awuzie. Chido is said to be moving inside as a box safety nickel CB role. If that’s the truth we should have plenty of reason for optimism: 3 Reasons Chido will be a good safety for Dallas in 2020
But even so, he hasn’t played this role in the pros and like the two safeties discussed before, there’s wide boom or bust variance.