Dallas Cowboys: Four ways to instantly improve the defense

Play Daryl Worley at Safety

This change would only work depending on availability, but when the Cowboys played veteran Daryl Worley at safety instead of at cornerback, he looked very comfortable overlapping routes in the middle 1/3rd and deep 1/2 of the field. Throw in his ball skills that come with being a cornerback and you might have something favorable brewing in the defensive backfield.

Once again, this alignment is largely dependent the availability of cornerbacks from this point onwards. With the likely return of cornerback Anthony Brown this week, the possibility of moving Worley back to safety can now become a reality. Or maybe not considering Brown primarily plays in the slot whereas Worley primarily plays outside…

Considering the current situation of the defensive backfield, it might be best to just put your best defenders on the field. The last two weeks have proven that Darian Thompson nor Donovan Wilson are the answer alongside Xavier Woods. In week 2 when Worley garnered more snaps at safety, he was productive as he almost grabbed his first interception of the season.

The team will trot out a defensive backfield of with CB Trevon Diggs, CB Anthony Brown, S Xavier Woods, and CB Daryl Worley. The question remains is who that final fifth member of the secondary is?

Diggs and Brown will likely be the outside cornerbacks meaning they will be responsible for Darius Slayton and Damion Ratley. In the slot remains long-time veteran Golden Tate. Jourdan Lewis has been the opposite of commendable in the slot this season, however, Thompson and Wilson have proven they don’t have what it takes to consistently cover the back end of the defensive backfield.

Playing Worley at CB means Brown slides inside as the Nickel CB and likely Donovan Wilson is Xavier Woods partner. If the team elects to start Jourdan Lewis, Daryl Worley could start at safety, or at least garner significant playing time at the position.

However, the Cowboys are in a good situation heading into this week. While the Giants’ receivers are solid, their quarterback is not. As one would expect, this will have the biggest impact on what type of day the Dallas defensive backfield has Sunday afternoon.

However, on the topic of pass defense…