What a Pair of Free Agency Safeties Will Bring to the Cowboys
As the NFL free agency kicked off over a week ago, the Dallas Cowboys made a move they are not known for in their history. They signed over five players in free agency this offseason, and two players are returning, such as Sam Williams, who agreed to return on a one-year, three-million-dollar deal, and Tyrus Wheat. One of those signings even became one of the highest-paid free-agent deals in franchise history, showing that Dallas was willing to spend. Jalen Thompson, a former safety of the Arizona Cardinals, and P.J. Locke are two of the aforementioned players brought in to help new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and what was a struggling defense for the Cowboys last year. Both are two safeties coming into Dallas, replacing familiar faces Cowboys fans recognize, but what do those two bring to help impact the Cowboys' defense?
The first safety the Cowboys looked to sign in free agency this offseason was Thompson. In today’s NFL, the safety position has become more versatile than ever, and Thompson exemplifies this versatility in Dallas. His ability to stay positioned in the backend, anticipate the ball's trajectory, and move down into the box to support the running game is precisely the type of player the Cowboys needed. Thompson, as previously noted, is the most expensive free agency signing in Cowboys history. While his performance has been commendable, this signing reflects more on Dallas's approach to free agency than on Thompson's individual skills. The Cowboys’ willingness to invest in Thompson highlights how highly Parker and the front office value him.
Locke, on the other hand, is a veteran presence that Dallas has been needing in the secondary for a long time now. The primary reason Locke chose to leave the formidable defense of the Denver Broncos to join the Cowboys was his strong rapport with Parker, which developed during their time together in Denver. Like Thompson, Locke has the skill set to play in the box against the run or stay deep in coverage against the pass. He can also contribute to special teams, an area where the Cowboys faced difficulties last season. Both Locke and Thompson are committed to helping the struggling Cowboys' defense make a push for the postseason.
