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Five Cowboys who could break out in 2016: No. 1, safety Byron Jones
By Jon Machota
In the final post of a five-part series, we focus on the Cowboys player most likely to have a breakout season in 2016: second-year defensive back Byron Jones.
The Cowboys' first-round pick in 2015 spent his rookie season playing nearly every defensive back position on the field. And while he performed well at all of them, Jones was unable to force a turnover.
Expect that to change in his new role. Jones enters his second season focused on playing only safety.
"His range is really good," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's got good vision back there. I'm real excited to get him in a spot. We moved him around so much last year, so hopefully we get him in a position to use his talent and his vision. He is really smart."
The move allows Jones to play facing the quarterback more often. As he gets comfortable at the one position, being able to see the ball come out of the quarterback's hand more frequently should increase his chances at getting interceptions and forcing fumbles.
"Certainly Byron brings a lot to the table as a defensive back," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "We saw that last year as a rookie. You think about all the different things he did playing corner, playing nickel and dime, playing safety. One of the things that impresses you the most about him is not only his athletic ability but how he can be functional with it on the football field doing different things.
"He's learning every day. He's going about it the right way. He works very hard. He embraces the opportunity and you do see some of that athleticism show up. He's still learning the position and the more and more he goes, the more experience he gets, I think you're going to see more and more of that athleticism both as a pass defender and as a run defender. He closes ground quickly. He gets to the ball quickly. He's got a chance to be a good player."
Last month, Jones said he gained about five pounds for his new full-time safety role. He also said the move has simplified things for him on the back end. Jones played safety his first two years at UConn before making the move to cornerback for his junior and senior seasons.
"I feel good back there," Jones said. "I feel natural, just coming down on runs and guarding tight ends. That's what we do back there, so I'm enjoying it. It's fun. I'm getting comfortable."
By Jon Machota
In the final post of a five-part series, we focus on the Cowboys player most likely to have a breakout season in 2016: second-year defensive back Byron Jones.
The Cowboys' first-round pick in 2015 spent his rookie season playing nearly every defensive back position on the field. And while he performed well at all of them, Jones was unable to force a turnover.
Expect that to change in his new role. Jones enters his second season focused on playing only safety.
"His range is really good," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's got good vision back there. I'm real excited to get him in a spot. We moved him around so much last year, so hopefully we get him in a position to use his talent and his vision. He is really smart."
The move allows Jones to play facing the quarterback more often. As he gets comfortable at the one position, being able to see the ball come out of the quarterback's hand more frequently should increase his chances at getting interceptions and forcing fumbles.
"Certainly Byron brings a lot to the table as a defensive back," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "We saw that last year as a rookie. You think about all the different things he did playing corner, playing nickel and dime, playing safety. One of the things that impresses you the most about him is not only his athletic ability but how he can be functional with it on the football field doing different things.
"He's learning every day. He's going about it the right way. He works very hard. He embraces the opportunity and you do see some of that athleticism show up. He's still learning the position and the more and more he goes, the more experience he gets, I think you're going to see more and more of that athleticism both as a pass defender and as a run defender. He closes ground quickly. He gets to the ball quickly. He's got a chance to be a good player."
Last month, Jones said he gained about five pounds for his new full-time safety role. He also said the move has simplified things for him on the back end. Jones played safety his first two years at UConn before making the move to cornerback for his junior and senior seasons.
"I feel good back there," Jones said. "I feel natural, just coming down on runs and guarding tight ends. That's what we do back there, so I'm enjoying it. It's fun. I'm getting comfortable."
