Dallas Cowboys Should Pursue FA Safety Marcus Williams
The Dallas Cowboys haven't had a top-tier safety in a while. Fortunately for them, 2021 will see one of the deepest free agency classes at the position in recent years and they better take advantage of it. Plenty will be available, but the best fit might be New Orleans Saints' Marcus Williams. If you manage […]
The Dallas Cowboys haven't had a top-tier safety in a while. Fortunately for them, 2021 will see one of the deepest free agency classes at the position in recent years and they better take advantage of it. Plenty will be available, but the best fit might be New Orleans Saints' Marcus Williams.
If you manage to momentarily forget about the play everyone remembers from him, the Minneapolis Miracle in which he missed the tackle on Stefon Diggs, you'll see Williams is clearly one of the best up-and-coming safeties in the NFL.
Marcus Williams ranks fourth in the NFL since entering the league in 2017, per Pro Football Focus' player grades behind only Harrison Smith, Adrian Amos, and Earl Thomas. His grade ranks second since 2019 behind only Justin Simmons, who's also set to hit free agency in March.
In his four-year career, Williams has 13 interceptions and 30 pass deflections. Although he's primarily a free safety, Williams provides great run support as well. His 88.9 PFF run-defense grade ranks first among safeties in the 2020 season.
The Dallas Cowboys would get the perfect safety for Dan Quinn's defense by signing the 24-year-old. In a defense that will feature single-high coverages such as Cover 1 and Cover 3, Williams' range would be in full display week after week.
Recently, Pro Football Focus listed the Dallas Cowboys as Williams' best team fit for this exact reason.
Of course, signing one of the top free agents in the market will not be easy. Especially if the Cowboys' front office keeps approaching free agency like they have the past few years. Pro Football Focus projects a four-year deal for an average per year of $14.25M, which would make Williams the third-highest paid safety in the NFL.
After a disastrous season on defense, the Cowboys would be wise to sign a top-tier player at such an important position for Dan Quinn's defense, though. With a weak secondary, you can expect this defense to be below average.
But Donovan Wilson seems to be a playmaker and a great tackler who can shine playing in the box. The Cowboys seem to have a starting cornerback in Trevon Diggs and will likely be in a position to draft another one in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
Why not add a top-tier free safety like Marcus Williams?
Every year, the Cowboys' front office seems to stand on the sidelines during free agency while preaching the Draft as its preferred method for team-building. But at some point, they've got to look at the success other NFL teams are having when signing quality free agents.
If the Dallas Cowboys believe they have an elite offense with a healthy Dak Prescott and a healthy offensive line, the time to invest in the free agents that you're missing is now.
Featured Image Via Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
