FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys have quickly addressed roster needs during free agency to the defensive line, tight end core, and wide receiver position. The safety position is next on the agenda for Dallas. After the Cowboys passed on Earl Thomas, who signed with the Ravens, the team turned to other options. The franchise met with three safeties over the past week: Eric Berry, Clayton Geathers, and George Iloka. However, all promising candidates left without a deal.
Berry, the five-time Pro Bowler, spent nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and tallied 445 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, 50 passes defensed, 14 interceptions, and five touchdowns in 89 total games played. The 30-year-old only started three games during the past two seasons (2017-18), dealing with a Haglund’s deformity- a bone spur that affects the Achilles. It was a day-by-day process with the persistent heel soreness Berry endured, and he was diagnosed with an Achilles tear late in the season-opening victory in Week 1 against New England. Battling is not an unfamiliar term to Berry, who also persevered through a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2014 and returned to the NFL. He is a fighter but his track record of injury is a cause of concern for many clubs around the league.
Geathers re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts after his visit to Dallas, extending his four-year career with the team. The 26-year-old recorded 190 combined tackles and nine passes defensed in 41 total games played for Indianapolis.
The Cowboys met with Iloka on Friday to extend their search. The 28-year-old spent the majority of his career in Cincinnati (2012-17) as a Bengal. He moved on and played the 2018 season as a Minnesota Viking. During his seven-year career in the league, Iloka accumulated 359 combined tackles, 32 passes defensed, and nine interceptions in 99 total games played. His departure from Dallas without a deal marked the third one in a single week. The Cowboys are weaker at the safety position and the team needs to add depth to help out Jeff Heath and Xavier Woods. Dallas gave up a first-round pick for Amari Cooper and the club will not be on the clock until No.58th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, so attaining some free agent depth to the secondary before the draft next month would be in the team’s best interest.
The Cowboys have addressed several positions in free agency and re-signs:
Wide Receiver-
Signed Randall Cobb to one-year/$5 million deal
Re-signed Tavon Austin to one-year/$1 million deal
Exercised the option of Allen Hurns
Tight End-
Brought Jason Witten out of retirement and signed to one-year/$2 million deal (base salary) and could earn him up to $5 million (incentives)
Signed Codey McElroy to reserved/futures contract
Defensive Line-
Signed DE Kerry Hyder to three-year deal
Signed DE Christian Covington to one-year/$1 million deal
Re-signed DT Daniel Ross to one-year deal
Franchise tagged DE DeMarcus Lawrence (team has until July 15th deadline to negotiate long-term contract)
The biggest draft needs for the Cowboys after the above free agency moves and re-signs, besides the obvious safety need: Center/guard and cornerback. On the offensive-line, the team is optimistic Travis Frederick will return to the gridiron this season but the Cowboys should have a contingency plan with his health being a question mark. The line was plagued with injuries during the 2018 season without a consistent group of guys at the line of scrimmage, and having a reliable option that can double at center and guard-given LG Connor Williams’ rocky rookie season, would only benefit the team. In the secondary, competition at corner would boost the performance of players and would be added depth to the position if 2018 standout, Byron Jones, decides to walk next season when he hits free agency.
