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Dallas Cowboys: 5 Burning questions entering 2019 training camp

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: George Iloka #23 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after making a tackle in the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: George Iloka #23 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after making a tackle in the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

5. Is the safety spot going to be better?

Entering this offseason, the Cowboys targeted safety and tight end as the two positions needing the most attention. At tight end, Jason Witten returned from his one-year retirement. That could prove to be an upgrade over last season, but it’s not as if Witten was still in his prime when he left the game following the 2017 season.

As for safety, Dallas was linked to Earl Thomas for roughly a year and a half. They discussed trades with the Seattle Seahawks but nothing ever came to fruition. Once he was a free agent, the dots seemed ready to be connected.

This never happened as Thomas’ asking price was far too high for what the Cowboys were willing to pay. So, he headed to Baltimore and in came George Iloka. His contract was much more affordable, coming in under $1 million, but he’s clearly not going to be the game-changer fans have been salivating for in the secondary. In fact, there’s really not even a guarantee he can beat out Jeff Heath for the starting strong safety spot.

This means they’re hoping for a big jump from Xavier Woods as their biggest chance to the safety position. He’s shown flashes so far in his short career and even felt disrespected by the Earl Thomas love affair, so he could come in with a chip on his shoulder. That may not be enough, which makes this something to keep an eye on.

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