Safety Concerns? Cowboys Have Used Top Draft Pick on Them Only Once

Tuesday I ranked safety as the Cowboys’ fourth-worst position. Only running back, cornerback and kick-returner need more help in the upcoming NFL Draft.

So today let’s fix it. Because, obviously, the Cowboys can’t repair it themselves.

As in, the last time they drafted a safety in the first round? How about a guy named Roy Williams way back in 2002. In fact, that’s the only time in their 56-year history they’ve used their top draft pick on a safety.

Again, starters Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox are more than serviceable, and with a relatively weak class this year I’m not suggesting a reach for a safety with the 27th overall pick.

I’m just hoping the Cowboys don’t – as they did in the 5th round of 2010 – pass on another Kam Chancellor for another Akwasi Owusu-Ansah.

If the Cowboys are thinking safety in rounds 2-4 there are a couple of intriguing options: Louisville’s James Sample is a prototypical big-hitting safety, while Arizona State’s Damarious Randall is more of a cover safety.

Anything other than those two guys in the middle rounds, and the Cowboys will again find themselves reaching for the wrong safety.

Sports Connection

Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.

Watch kids adorably fill out Sweet 16 bracket based on team mascots

Kids make March Madness picks based on mascots

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us