The Dallas Cowboys are looking to have a bounce-back season in 2025. They have a few weeks off before training camp starts next month.
The moves Dallas made in the NFL draft and trade market have infused excitement back into the organization and fan base. While there are some positive things to look forward to, there are some players who are getting overpaid.
One of those players is safety Donovan Wilson, and he's going to rob Dallas this upcoming season. He's entering the final year of a three-year, $21 million deal. Per Spotrac, Wilson is on the books for $8.65 million.
Donovan Wilson Is Set to Rob Dallas in 2025
That's a high number for a player coming off a disappointing campaign with Dallas. In 2024, he logged 82 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one interception. His biggest areas of trouble came in coverage and terrible pursuit angles.
According to PFF, he had a 62.2 overall grade (97th among 171 graded safeties), 69.7 run-defense grade (61st among 171 graded safeties), and a 56.6 coverage grade (112th among 171 graded safeties). In coverage, he had a 141.6 passer rating allowed in coverage with 13.1 yards per reception allowed.
That's not what you want from your safety. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft and has spent the past six seasons with Dallas. Over that span, Wilson started in 60 games for them. For the last three campaigns, Wilson has been a steady starter in the backend, but he's never been better than an average starter.
With his cap hit slated to be the sixth-highest on the team, the Cowboys are paying a pretty penny to Wilson. Granted, it's the last year of his deal, but it doesn't mean Dallas couldn't use that money elsewhere to improve the roster.
It looks like Dallas will have Wilson around for the 2025 season, but it won't come cheap.