Cowboys '3-Headed Monster': Best Safeties in NFL?
It doesn't take an expert analyst to see that the Dallas Cowboys field one of the best defenses in the NFL. Rather, a simple look at their stats from last season will do that trick.
This group boasted the sixth-best scoring effort in the league, holding opponents to a mere 19.7 points per game. Simply put, opponents struggled to move the ball and subsequently find the end zone against Dallas.
The headliners for the defense are of course superstars Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. However, while those two lead the charge, the Cowboys have plenty of quality defenders alongside them - including a trio of safeties who have labeled themselves "The 3-Headed Monster'' and who have individually each landed in Pro Football Focus' top 32 safety rankings.
First up on their list is Jayron Kearse, who lands just inside the top 20 at No. 19 overall.
"Kearse has carved out a role for himself rotating between the box and slot," PFF writes. "He’s shown a little of everything in his two years with Dallas. ... He’s also never missed more than four tackles in his seven seasons. He’s a solid contributor to a really good defense."
Helping to anchor an elite secondary, Kearse put together a fine season in his second year with the Cowboys. He recorded 77 tackles, including a pair of sacks and seven tackles for loss. Showing his ability to grab turnovers as well, he forced a fumble and snagged an interception.
Just behind Kearse comes Donovan Wilson, who PFF labeled the No. 26 overall safety. Wilson was impactful for the Cowboys in the secondary last season, starting all 17 games and recording 101 tackles, with five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
"Wilson plays more in the box than Jayron Kearse, and 2022 was a breakout year for him," PFF writes. "Wilson is an aggressive player and an occasionally excellent blitzer. ... Wilson and his running mates give Dallas a chance to field an elite secondary this season."
Perhaps the most underrated of the trio is Malik Hooker, who found himself slotted in at No. 30 on PFF's list. The veteran safety continued his resurgence to prominence after his injury-plagued start with the Colts. In his second season in Dallas, he ended up recording a career-high 62 tackles. He also showed his ability to ballhawk in coverage, tying a career-high with three interceptions.
"There may not be a better scheme fit on this list than Hooker being paired with Dan Quinn’s Cover 3 defense," PFF wrote. "Hooker is a true free safety with the speed to man the deep middle by himself. ... His primary responsibilities in Quinn’s defense are to make tackles and prevent big plays. He does both at an elite level."
The Cowboys' decision to emphasize (to some degree) and to pay (to some degree) safeties is a new organizational movement, with coaches Mike McCarthy and Quinn influencing the change. And as a result?
Few defenses in the NFL boast a defense with not only the star power that the Cowboys have, but also the sort of depth that comes with being a "3-Headed Monster'' ... with the safety trio of Kearse, Wilson and Hooker arguably the best in the league.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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