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After slight decline in 2015, is there still a spot on Cowboys' roster for safety J.J. Wilcox?
By Kate Hairopoulos
J.J. WILCOX
Position: Safety
Size: 6-0, 212
Age when season starts: 25
College: Georgia Southern
Drafted: Third round, 80th overall, by Dallas in 2013
Experience: Entering fourth season
Contract status: Wilcox is entering the final season of his rookie contract, which is worth $2.8 million
Last season
Wilcox played in all 16 games, starting 13, playing 78 percent of the defensive snaps and recording 69 tackles, four passes defended and one interception. The results showed a lack of progression from 2014 when he started all 16 games and made 74 tackles, with five passes defended, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The free safety did record the only interception among the secondary's starters. He also made eight special teams tackles in 2015.
This season's outlook
Wilcox is battling to define his role as training camp begins. Barry Church and Byron Jones seem headed for the starting jobs at safeties, with Jones likely to continue to keep the starting job he eventually earned over Wilcox last season. Wilcox and Jeff Heath seem like the frontrunners for the backup slots, though Dallas also added Kavon Frazier as a sixth-round pick in this year's draft. Heath signed a four-year contract in April. Wilcox is entering his fifth season playing safety after spending his first three seasons in college as a running back and receiver, but has he shown enough development at the position for the Cowboys to want to keep him around?
By Kate Hairopoulos
J.J. WILCOX
Position: Safety
Size: 6-0, 212
Age when season starts: 25
College: Georgia Southern
Drafted: Third round, 80th overall, by Dallas in 2013
Experience: Entering fourth season
Contract status: Wilcox is entering the final season of his rookie contract, which is worth $2.8 million
Last season
Wilcox played in all 16 games, starting 13, playing 78 percent of the defensive snaps and recording 69 tackles, four passes defended and one interception. The results showed a lack of progression from 2014 when he started all 16 games and made 74 tackles, with five passes defended, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The free safety did record the only interception among the secondary's starters. He also made eight special teams tackles in 2015.
This season's outlook
Wilcox is battling to define his role as training camp begins. Barry Church and Byron Jones seem headed for the starting jobs at safeties, with Jones likely to continue to keep the starting job he eventually earned over Wilcox last season. Wilcox and Jeff Heath seem like the frontrunners for the backup slots, though Dallas also added Kavon Frazier as a sixth-round pick in this year's draft. Heath signed a four-year contract in April. Wilcox is entering his fifth season playing safety after spending his first three seasons in college as a running back and receiver, but has he shown enough development at the position for the Cowboys to want to keep him around?