Getty
Mike McCarthy
The Dallas Cowboys they should avoid signing a safety and two-time pro-bowler, according to one analyst.
According Alex Kay, de Bleacher Report, the Cowboys should avoid signing the free safety of the Seattle Seahawks, Quandre Diggs, during the upcoming free agency period.
“After a difficult 2020 season, the Dallas Cowboys have really improved their performance defensively,” Kay said. “The improvement helped them get back into the playoffs, but there’s still work to be done to make it a great defensive unit.”
One position Dallas will want to improve during the free agency period is safety. That position was pretty weak in 2021. With the oft-injured Donovan Wilson being the only safety under contract for 2022, the Cowboys will have to acquire several players in the spring.
While the prospect of signing Quandre Diggs seems appealing, Dallas should lavish money on a player to revolutionize that position..
Diggs had a serious injury in the last game of the season
Diggs will be 29 years old at the start of next season. In addition, the two-time pro-bowler has just suffered a serious injury – a dislocated ankle and a fractured right fibula – that will require a four to five month recovery after surgery.
Kay credits Diggs’ age and recovery time after a serious injury as reasons the Cowboys avoided the Seahawks’ safety. He also lists a younger safety — Jessie Bates III of the Cincinnati Bengals — as the player to sign for Dallas.
“Diggs has been like a magnet during his time with the Seattle Seahawks as he has racked up 13 interceptions in a little over two seasons,” Kay said. “The Cowboys have already led the league with 26 interceptions this year, and they could use a younger, healthier defensive back than 28-year-old Diggs.”
Add in the serious leg and ankle injuries Diggs suffered in Seattle’s final game of the season, and it would make a lot more sense to go after a promising safety like Cincinnati’s Jessie Bates III, who is arguably the primary free agent in his position this year.
Follow the Lakers page on Facebook Heavy Y Right now for the latest news, rumors and content!
Diggs’ projected value in free agency
as you noticed Bob Condotta, of the Seattle Times, in its article, Pro Football Focus projects that Diggs’ value will be for a three-year deal worth $24 million, with $13.5 million guaranteed. It remains to be seen whether Diggs’ injury — a very serious one nearing his 30th birthday — will have much of an impact on that projected value.
“Diggs could seek a contract similar to those recently accepted by Jimmy Ward of the San Francisco 49ers (three years for $28 million), former Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (4 years for $42 million) and former Houston Texans safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (three years, $22.5 million). All three are under six feet tall and were at least 28 years old at the time their contracts were signed.”
The Cowboys improved a lot on defense after having one of the worst units in 2020. The 2021 version Cowboys finished seventh in points and on allowable touchdown passes.
Cowboys starting safety Jayron Kearse and Damontae Kazee are a good duo. However, Dallas could improve at free safety. According to PFF, Kearse’s defensive mark (76.8) ranks him 14th among all safeties, while free safety Kazee (60.9) only ranks 56th.
The Cowboys will probably try to improve their free safety spot. But Diggs should be a name the Cowboys should avoid.
READ THE ORIGINAL NEWS AT HEAVY.COM
READ MORE: Russell Westbrook has strong words against his teammates: What did he say?
.
