Dallas Cowboys: 5 Breakout candidates due for big 2020 seasons

4. Darian Thompson, Safety

The Dallas Cowboys recently cut Ha Ha Clinton-Dix which was a bit of a surprise. The former Alabama safety was a first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers back with Mike McCarthy was the head coach in 2014. He was brought to Dallas this offseason as they were trying to finally upgrade the position. However, Clinton-Dix was beaten out during training camp by former Boise State star Darian Thompson, who looks to be the starter opposite Xavier Woods this year.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

Thompson came into the NFL the good bit of fanfare as he was the 71st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft — taken by the New York Giants. He played for the Giants for the first two seasons of his career and was a starter for them for the entire 2017 season.

That year, he had 75 tackles and an interception, and look poised to be a fixture in their defense for years to come. However, he was released out of the 2018 season and was then added to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Dallas then added him off of the practice squad, but he didn’t do much during 2018 at all. But in 2019, that changed as he had 45 tackles for Dallas was starting four games and playing in a total of 15.

He’s now poised to be the number one strong safety, and the fact that they’re willing to release Clinton-Dix despite guaranteeing him more than $2 million is proof that they think very highly of Thompson and his abilities. He might not be the big-name fans were hoping for but he could be a steadying force for them and a surprising breakout player.