Jamal Adams isn’t the only safety the Dallas Cowboys could land in a trade.
For the past several seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have been linked to some big-name safeties. It’s easy to see why that is as they have been less than competitive in this area for quite some time.
On top of that, players such as Earl Thomas and Jamal Adams have connections to the state where the Cowboys play and they have fueled rumors by expressing their desire to join America’s Team. It’s not surprising at all to see Texas natives wanting to wear the star on their helmet and even less surprising to see them being so vocal about it.
The Thomas saga, which went on for more than a year before he signed with the Baltimore Ravens, was enough to drive any Dallas fan wild but their newest flirtation could be just as bad. If not worse.
Adams has voiced his frustration with the New York Jets and has requested a trade. He’s also made it no secret that he wants to play for the Cowboys — and there were significant talks ahead of the trade deadline in 2019 but those fell apart. The issue there was New York wanted guard Zack Martin, which simply isn’t happening
Chances are nothing will come of these new rumors either. Dallas would love to add Adams but the fact is, the Jets are simply asking too much for him — especially if the Michael Gallup rumors are true. New York might want Gallup, but Dallas is not giving him up.
That doesn’t mean they can’t get some help as there are several safeties that could be available this offseason, including these three.
3. Malik Hooker, Indianapolis Colts
There was a time when Malik Hooker seemed to be the next huge star in the NFL. The Ohio State product was raw as he had just one full season under his belt for the Buckeyes, but it was a great season.
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Hooker had 74 tackles and a remarkable seven picks as a redshirt sophomore. It was enough to get him selected at No. 15 overall by the Indianapolis Colts. And throughout his first three seasons, he has proven he can get the job done, but there are concerns.
While Hooker does have 117 tackles, seven picks, and 11 pass defenses to this point, he also has 14 missed games in three years. The majority of that came during his rookie campaign as he played in just seven games that season but the durability concerns are something to consider.
However, that could help Dallas when it comes to securing a trade. Indianapolis is clearly concerned about the injury history themselves as they decline to pick up the fifth-year option on the safties contract. This means 2020 is the final year on his deal, and the Colts might not be willing to hang onto him.
Trading him to Dallas seems to be a win for everyone. For Hooker, it would give him a fresh start on a more visible team as he looks to secure himself a second contract. For the Cowboys, they get a ball hawk in the secondary to add to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Xavier Woods. As for Indianapolis, they can get something in return now rather than allowing him to leave and hoping for a comp pick, at best.
2. Justin Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing that has irked Dallas Cowboys fans is the way the team has neglected to use premium picks on safeties. Year after year it seems to be a need for them and they continue to trot out late-round picks and undrafted free agents. This isn’t meant as a knock on players such as Xavier Woods, because he was a steal as a sixth-round pick in 2017.
Even Jeff Heath, who was an undrafted free agent, ended up being a much better player than expected. The problem is, for every Xavier Woods they draft, there are two or three late-round safeties that never see the field.
Other teams seem to understand the importance of depth and talent at this position, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This season, the Bucs added Antoine Winfield with a second-round pick and he joins a crowded group that includes Mike Edwards (a third-round pick in 2019), and Jordan Whitehead (a fourth-round pick in 2018), and Justin Evans (a second-round pick in 2017).
All three players already on the roster can start and Winfield could wind up being the best of the bunch. For that reason, Tampa Bay could be willing to listen to trade offers and Evans makes the most sense to move.
A standout at Texas A&M, Evans recorded 66 tackles and three picks as a rookie. He added another 59 tackles and an interception in 2018 but missed time due to an injured toe. He then spent all of 2019 on the injured reserve with an Achilles injury.
Much like Malik Hooker, the injury concerns are legit but the talent could be worth taking that gamble. Also like the situation in Indy, Tampa Bay could get something in return for a player who is entering the final season of their contract.
1. Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings
As great as Jamal Adams is, he’s not the only game-changing safety who had been rumored to be on the move this offseason. Anthony Harris of the Minnesota Vikings was about to hit free agency this year but the team had other plans. Minnesota wound up placing the franchise tag on Harris, which he signed two months later.
While the Vikings did give him the tender, there were still rumors that he could be on the move. The dots were being connected between Minnesota and the Cleveland Browns and there was a brief moment where it appeared he was headed to Cleveland.
Nothing materialized there and it’s been quiet ever since. In the end, this should mean Harris continues to play in Minnesota but they could still be interested in making a move due to the money Harris is set to make.
The franchise tag on Harris puts him at just under $11.5 million according to OverTheCap.com. That’s a lot of money considering they’re also on the books for $10.75 million this season for fellow safety Harrison Smith.
Minnesota also has some other massive contracts and they are currently in the beginning stages of a contract negotiation with running back Dalvin Cook.
Dallas would be wise to swoop in and offer something in exchange for Harris, who was not only rated higher than Jamal Adams by Pro Football Focus (subscription required), but he was also No. 1 overall at the position.
The price tag for Harris would be a concern but there’s no doubt he’s the surest thing out of these options and could prove to be much more affordable in a trade than Jamal Adams would be.