NFL Free Agency 2020: 5 Best landing spots for Byron Jones
By Samuel Teets
Arguably the best cornerback in 2020 NFL free agency cornerback this year, Dallas’ Byron Jones can turn Super Bowl pretenders into real contenders.
In 2015, UConn’s Byron Jones dazzled scouts at the NFL Combine. The defensive back shot up draft boards after setting a new world record in the standing broad jump. Jones jumped 12 feet and 3 inches. Combined with other stellar athletic scores, Jones’ performance vaulted him into the first round, where the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the 27th pick.
After his first three seasons, Jones looked like a potential bust. He performed poorly at safety and became a prime target for opposing offenses. However, Jones transitioned to cornerback in 2018 and made his first Pro Bowl. The Associated Press selected him as a Second-Team All-Pro.
Jones’ five-year rookie contract ended after the 2019 season. With Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper also needing new deals, Jones looks like the odd man out in Dallas. The former All-Pro will likely seek a massive payday elsewhere this offseason as he hits the market in 2020 NFL free agency.
The following five teams desperately need cornerback help. With signing Jones in NFL free agency, a few of these teams move one step closer toward competing for a Super Bowl ring.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders lack star power on both sides of the ball. While Josh Jacobs played incredible as a rookie, and Derek Carr continues to get berated in place of his head coach, the team is still building its foundation. With Daryl Worley, who started 15 games at corner for the Raiders in 2019, entering free agency, Jon Gruden’s squad should make a play for Jones.
Alongside soon-to-be sophomore Trayvon Mullen, Jones can become the cornerstone of Las Vegas’ new secondary. Of course, that relies on the Raiders making wise decisions in the draft and the rest of free agency, which is anything but a given.
Regardless, adding a proven veteran such as Jones to the mix would give a lacking secondary quite the upgrade. Jones would slot in as a still relatively young cornerback to pair with Mullen and hopefully revamp a passing defense that was taken advantage of last season.