Cowboys' player on meteoric rise has been critical for 3-1 start
After playing in only 29% of the defensive snaps last year, Donovan Wilson flew under the radar among Dallas Cowboys' safeties. But this season, you can't miss the guy wearing #6. The former sixth-round draft pick is everywhere and always close to the football. Four games into the season, you can't call it a hot […]
After playing in only 29% of the defensive snaps last year, Donovan Wilson flew under the radar among Dallas Cowboys' safeties. But this season, you can't miss the guy wearing #6. The former sixth-round draft pick is everywhere and always close to the football.
Four games into the season, you can't call it a hot streak. You have to name it consistency.
Wilson's latest dominant performance came against the Washington Commanders as he was a huge part of the Cowboys' 10-points-allowed domination against Carson Wentz and company.
Wilson – who has played the third-most snaps in the Cowboys defense this season – did a little bit of everything on Sunday. Whether it was making open-field tackles, blitzing the quarterback, or shining in coverage, Wilson was out there making plays.
His most impressive play of the game might've come in the third quarter when he forced Wentz to commit an intentional grounding penalty in what would've been a sack play. On second-and-eight, Wilson blazingly sped past the B-gap between the right guard and right tackle to destroy the Commanders' play-action play.
You can watch the clip on the tweet below from Blogging the Boys' Dan Rogers:
At another point of the game, Wentz would challenge the Cowboys' safety with a deep shot. In that play, not only did Wilson hold his own but even turned to the football and extended his arm just enough to avoid getting flagged.
Wilson finished the game with superb numbers from PFF, who had him graded as the second-best defender on the team. The safety finished the day with:
- 2 catches allowed in 3 targets
- 2 yards allowed
- 1 forced incompletion
- 1 QB pressure
The best part about "Dono" has been his versatility, which clearly fits the Cowboys' identity on defense. In four games, the safety has lined up 129 snaps in the box, 87 as a free safety, 31 in the slot, and another 17 at the defensive line.
Facing Saquon Barkley? Wilson spent more time in the box in Week 3. Worrying about Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and more? He played up high more often.
Dan Quinn's defense needs the safety group to play at a very high level. Thanks partly to Donovan Wilson, the Cowboys' secondary continues to look on point.
Featured image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
