The Dallas Cowboys have had their share of problems in the first three weeks, but the biggest has been their defense. Fans will immediately point the finger to the departure of Micah Parsons and the struggles of Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator. But the Cowboys’ option is to find a solution, especially when it comes to the secondary.
The Cowboys are the worst pass defense in the NFL, allowing 9.0 yards per attempt entering Week 4. No other team has allowed more than 8.0 net yards per attempt and it’s a sign that the moves they have made this offseason have not panned out.
With Reddy Steward the only cornerback with a Pro Football Focus grade over 60, the Cowboys will need some reinforcements to live up to their internal expectations. That means several cornerbacks will be on the board as the Nov. 4 trade deadline approaches and it could lead to a big trade in the coming weeks.
3. L’Jarius Sneed, CB, Tennessee TItans
Sneed came to Tennessee as an answer for Brian Callahan’s defense, but he hasn’t lived up to his four-year, $76.4 million contract over the first two seasons. A season-ending quad injury and a recent knee cleanup procedure this spring have kept Sneed on the sidelines more than he’s been on the field. With the Titans facing a clear rebuild, they could try to put him on the market ahead of the deadline.
A bad contract and an even worse performance with a 49.6 overall grade and 47.7 coverage grade probably aren’t appealing to the Cowboys. But Sneed has an impressive resume dating back to his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Cowboys would have to bet that a change of scenery would get Sneed back to his shutdown ways and it could be worth the bet even if it meant some financial gymnastics to make it happen.
2. Xavier Woods, S, Tennessee Titans
Cornerback isn’t the only position where the Cowboys have struggled this year. Malik Hooker has been dreadful at safety despite high grades in run defense (81.7) and tackling (83.5). But his partner Donovan Wilson has been a liability in coverage with a 51.5 grade this season.
If Tennessee wants to strip it down ahead of the deadline, it could lead to a reunion with former defender Xavier Woods. Woods played for Dallas from 2017-2020 and has gotten off to a great start this season with an 89.9 coverage grade over the first three weeks. Alas, he’s in the first year of a two-year, $8 million contract signed this preseason and Tennessee could want to keep him around. But the Titans could see it as a sell high opportunity and take advantage of a team desperate for secondary help.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys fall into this category and could be making an aggressive move to fix their secondary ahead of the deadline.
1. Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns
Newsome has been on the trading block for a while but this year’s deadline could be the moment where he’s finally shipped out of Cleveland. A first-round pick by the Browns in 2021, Newsome has had a solid baseline, posting a PFF grade over 66.0 and a coverage grade over 69.9 in each of his first three seasons. The Northwestern product slumped to a 52.2 overall and 54.0 coverage grade last season but has rebuilt his value with a strong start to this season.
With a 68.4 overall grade and 67.4 coverage grade in the first three weeks, Newsome would be an upgrade by PFF’s standards. He also has been solid in coverage allowing nine receptions for 108 yards with a pass breakup on 12 targets. A big play could send those numbers spiraling and Newsome allowed four touchdowns a year ago. But heading into the final year of his contract, Newsome could be a short-term solution with a chance to stick in Dallas beyond this year.