Machota: How does Cowboys' defensive backfield compare to other NFC East teams?

Cotton

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How does Cowboys' defensive backfield compare to other NFC East teams?
By Jon Machota

This is the final installment of my seven-part series, breaking down the position groups of all four NFC East teams heading into the 2016 season.

In case you're not keeping track, here's how the Cowboys have ranked at each position group compared to the Redskins, Giants and Eagles: Offensive line 1, Quarterback 2, Running back 1, Wide receiver/tight end 2, Defensive line 4, Linebackers 1.

We finish off with the defensive backs.

1.) Washington Redskins. The addition of Josh Norman would significantly improve any secondary. Norman was the NFL's best cornerback in 2015, recording 4 interceptions and breaking up 19 passes en route to first-team All-Pro honors. Bashaud Breeland is entering his third season as a starter. He's had four interceptions and 30 passes defensed over his first 31 games. The Redskins also have very good depth at corner with Quinton Dunbar, Will Blackmon, Greg Toler and third-round pick Kendall Fuller. The safety position is nowhere near as loaded. The key names at the position: DeAngelo Hall, David Bruton and Duke Ihenacho.

2.) Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles don't have a star like Norman, but they are solid across the board and appear to have good depth. The most notable member of the cornerback group is Leodis McKelvin. He's had trouble staying healthy recently, but over his last 19 games, the former first-round pick has 6 interceptions and 17 passes defensed. The other corners of note are Eric Rowe, Nolan Carroll and Jalen Mills. Philadelphia is in good hands at safety with two proven starters in Malcolm Jenkins and former St. Louis Ram Rodney McLeod. Jenkins made his first Pro Bowl last season. Philadelphia signed McLeod to a five-year, $37 million deal in March.

3.) New York Giants. Serious investments have been recently made by the Giants at cornerback. They signed Janoris Jenkins to a five-year, $62.5 million contract in March. New York then spent the 10th overall pick in the draft on former Ohio State standout Eli Apple. Those two and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should make a solid group in the team's nickel package. The safety spot is led by 2015 second-round pick Landon Collins, who started every game last season. The other safeties of note are Nat Berhe, Cooper Taylor and third-round pick Darian Thompson. If Jenkins, Rodgers-Cromartie and Apple mesh well, this backfield could be better than Philly's group.

4.) Dallas Cowboys. The cornerback depth chart breaks down like this: Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, Morris Claiborne, Deji Olatoye and sixth-round pick Anthony Brown. Of those five, Olatoye is the only one to record an interception last season. For the Cowboys to have any hopes of a breakout year in their secondary, Carr, Claiborne and Scandrick must stay healthy. Byron Jones and Barry Church will be the starters at safety. Jones has the most upside of any defensive back on Dallas' roster. He turned in an impressive rookie year, but he came up short in the turnover department. Year 2 will be all about creating takeaways. Jones must be one of the catalysts for a group that finished last in the NFC with only 5 interceptions in 2015.
 

ravidubey

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The Giants have the best group, IMO, in terms of raw talent and playmaking ability. They also have a strong defensive line now. The Eagles are up there with them, especially if their offense can improve their TOP.

Like a lot of CB's, Norman gets a lot of credit for making a few splashy plays when his team was dominating the opposition in every other possible way.

He won't have the Panthers' D, Luke Kuechly, or the #1 offense in football helping him out in Washington. I think Washington's DL got worse. Opposing offenses will remain balanced a lot longer against Washington than they were vs. the 2015 Panthers.

Dallas' group is fine enough. It's really going to come down to the offense putting up points and playing keepaway and Marinelli rediscovering some of that turnover magic he used in 2014.
 

Simpleton

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The Giants have the best group, IMO, in terms of raw talent and playmaking ability. They also have a strong defensive line now. The Eagles are up there with them, especially if their offense can improve their TOP.

Like a lot of CB's, Norman gets a lot of credit for making a few splashy plays when his team was dominating the opposition in every other possible way.

He won't have the Panthers' D, Luke Kuechly, or the #1 offense in football helping him out in Washington. I think Washington's DL got worse. Opposing offenses will remain balanced a lot longer against Washington than they were vs. the 2015 Panthers.

Dallas' group is fine enough. It's really going to come down to the offense putting up points and playing keepaway and Marinelli rediscovering some of that turnover magic he used in 2014.
I agree on Norman, he was a good but not elite player up until last year where more or less everything went right for the Panthers until the Super Bowl. He was in the perfect situation and was often playing with big leads, he won't have elite cover LB's to eat up space in Washington or the same type of elite pass rush that forced poor throws.

The Giants group is overrated though, DRC is good but other than that Jenkins is very overpaid and gets burned as often as he makes big plays, Collins is fine, their other safeties suck and Apple was a reach. They should have a solid secondary but it's nothing to fear particularly.

I also don't understand how the Eagles are 2nd, they could arguably have the worst secondary in the division. McKelvin is off the scrap heap, their coaching staff is not high on Rowe and supposedly may even trade him and Carroll is just an average 3rd/4th CB. Jenkins is their only legit DB, the rest are average at best.

Jones might honestly be the best safety in the division this year and Scandrick is a top 3-5 CB, ranking us last is kind of ridiculous considering that Carr and Claiborne are generally average CB's.
 

ravidubey

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Jones might honestly be the best safety in the division this year and Scandrick is a top 3-5 CB, ranking us last is kind of ridiculous considering that Carr and Claiborne are generally average CB's.
There are no standout talents across the division, either good or bad.

The front seven and offense are the keys to making average secondaries into good ones. The Eagles have Cox and solid talent playing alongside him. With that front stuffing the run, everything gets easier for the secondary. My assessment of the Eagles totally hinges on Cox, who's proving to be a freak.

The Giants rebuilt their DL with two very good players and added a solid guy in Jenkins and a 1st round pick in Apple. I think that's legit. The inconsistent running game is slowing the Giants down, but Beckham Jr. can totally take over games to the point they're never out of any contest. That shootout mentality presents a lot of good opportunities for DRC to make big plays.

Dallas improved their front seven greatly by adding Thornton, IMO, but the loss of Lawrence even for 4 games is huge. Gregory is a waste of time, so it's kind of a blessing he's suspended so they can develop Irving, Tapper or even Russell or Mayowa. For the Cowboys it's all on the offense.
 
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