Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Robinson would improve defense

The Dallas Cowboys must add to their defensive backfield, especially at cornerback. Patrick Robinson could be the free agent signing they’ve needed this offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys need to add to their defensive backfield, and maybe unrestricted free agent Patrick Robinson is the “cure” this team is looking for to repair a secondary that could have been better last season.

The Cowboys have Orlando Scandrick returning from his ACL tear last training camp (depending on how he heals), and Morris Claiborne returns on a one-year deal (he was improved at times last season), and there are others like Brandon Carr still on the roster.

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But the franchise still hasn’t decided where they want to play last year’s first-round selection Byron Jones, as he was drafted as a cornerback, but he produced at safety for the team his rookie season.

This brings to the front of the pack, Patrick Robinson, a former first-round choice by the New Orleans Saints in 2010, as he’s coming off a one-year deal with the San Diego Chargers.

Thus far the Cowboys have had very little luck in signing a free agent cornerback this offseason, but Robinson could provide some quality play … how much, I’m not sure, but he could help bring depth to this part of the roster.

According to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News, this isn’t the first time the team has shown interest in the defensive back Robinson:

"“The Cowboys also had some interest in Robinson, 28, last offseason before he signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the San Diego Chargers. He played in every game for the Chargers and started 10, finishing with 49 tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception.”"

On Monday, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News tweeted the following:

The former first-round choice has played well in this league, so if the Cowboys are able to sign him, it means they are gaining a credible player for their defensive backfield. It might also mean they want to keep Byron Jones at safety as well, because with the others already on the roster, things could become a little jammed at cornerback.

In his one season with the Chargers in ’15, Robinson played in all 16 games, starting 10 of them, totaling 43 solo tackles and one interception, returning it 27 yards. He also played his first five seasons with the Saints, where he gained 10 interceptions with 193 solo tackles in that span.

Robinson has grabbed at least one interception in four of his six seasons, with ’11 being his best season in that category with four, followed the next season with three.

Always a fan of grades, Pro Football Focus ranked Robinson as the 30th best cornerback in ’15, with a 79.4 overall grade. His run defense was 78.9, and his coverage grade was 78.1. Compare that with the cornerbacks from last season, and he’s head and shoulders above anyone on the roster of the Cowboys. The highest graded Cowboys cornerback from last season who was also ranked overall was Carr at 54.7 overall, followed by Claiborne at 38.5.

Gaining Robinson in the defensive backfield might have not been my first choice this offseason, but he’s still a quality player who should be able to bring some type of improvement to a defensive backfield that just doesn’t do what is needed at the NFL level on a consistent basis.

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This potential signing shouldn’t affect the Cowboys’ draft options if Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey is still on the board at No. 4 overall, either. If the Cowboys can sign Robinson and gain another high-quality defensive player in the draft – whether that be Ramsey or a pass rusher – this defense could and should have a whole new look in ’16, which will be a welcome sight to Cowboys fans all around.