Dallas Cowboys: It’s Do or Die for These 5 Players in 2020
By Reid Hanson
Do or Die Dallas Cowboys
Chidobe Awuzie, DB
Age: 25
I’m going to call Chidobe Awuzie a generic defensive back for a reason: Reports have indicated he’s moving to a box safety role in 2020 (something he did a lot in college) but we have yet to get word of the move in any official capacity.
Such secrecy is nothing new for the Dallas Cowboys. It seems they enjoy delivering cryptic messages when the news cycle slows and sports writers like me eat it up. But there’s reason to believe there’s legitimacy in a move inside for Chido. And there’s reason to believe the move will be a good one.
I detailed it all here in 3 Reasons Chido Will Make a Better Safety. In it, I break down why the move inside isn’t as drastic as it may seem and why it plays to his strengths to move inside.
The reason this season is so critical for Chido and his future with the Dallas Cowboys is simple: He’s a free agent in 2021.
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to hitch their wagon to any safety beyond this season. Xavier Woods, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Chido are all hitting the market next March and any one of them (or none of them) can secure a long-term deal with Dallas if he establishes himself in 2020.
Chido is one of the smartest and most physically talented players on the team but he’s below average in on-the-field play (except for his open field tackling). He’s primed for a breakout if the Cowboys can just play to his strengths.
Just like Byron Jones’ 2018 season where he moved from safety to cornerback in order to salvage his career, Chido has a chance at establishing himself as a pro if he can just put it together here in 2020.