Dallas Cowboys: Elite-level player in line for an unusual contract extension

The Dallas Cowboys have a number of players to pay this off-season. 20 unrestricted free agents to be exact. Much of the focus will be on players like RB Tony Pollard, TE Dalton Schultz or LB Leighton Vander Esch. All of whom are either coming off career-best seasons or have demonstrated their value is more […]

Shane Carter
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Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have a number of players to pay this off-season. 20 unrestricted free agents to be exact.

Much of the focus will be on players like RB Tony Pollard, TE Dalton Schultz or LB Leighton Vander Esch. All of whom are either coming off career-best seasons or have demonstrated their value is more ways than their position typically does.

However, the most curious contract will go to S Donovan Wilson.

In the same breathe as Jayron Kearse a season ago, Wilson isn't just simply a pure safety. Kearse earned his value as a box safety, playing in the slot, covering tight ends as well as a modified outside linebacker.

Wilson not only plays the box safety, but a modified LB/edge hybrid as well. With numbers that lead the team or put him among the Cowboys leaders.

  • 101 tackles (1st)
  • 7 tackles for loss (6th)
  • 5 sacks (5th)
  • 2 forced fumbles (3rd)
  • 2 pass breakups (9th)
  • 51.3% completion allowed (1st among qualified Cowboys defenders)
  • 12 QB pressures (5th)
  • 69.0 QB passer rating allowed (1st among qualified Cowboys defenders)

Put into perspective of the other Dallas Cowboys safeties, Malik Hooker's average per season is $3.5 million, while Kearse is $5.5 million per year. Given Wilson's play and value to the defense it is likely closer to Kearse's deal.

However, Kearse signed his deal after his sixth NFL season at age 28. Wilson is coming off just his fourth, but will also be 28 by the start of next season.

Essentially, Wilson is who many Cowboys fans expected Jamal Adams to be, assumed he was traded to Dallas. A box safety who could play linebacker, stop the run and even be an effective pass rusher.

Listed as a strong safety, only three other players are making $10+ million per season, meaning this likely won't be his market range. Instead, players like Kearse or Chuck Clark who each make just above $5 million per year is the liekly starting point.

Expect Wilson's contract to be somewhere between $5-$7.5 million per season. Will it be too rich for the Dallas Cowboys to pay?

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron of USA TODAY Sports

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