Cowboys CB Byron Jones Expected to hit Free Agency

Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second

The Dallas Cowboys will be one of the busiest teams in the NFL once the new league year and free agency begin on March 18. With 31 free agents on the roster, there’s certain to be plenty of turnover from their 2019 squad. Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper are the team’s top priorities this offseason as the agents for both players met with the organization at the NFL Combine on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

However, the future of another big piece of the Cowboys offseason puzzle was made a little more clear on Friday. According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, representatives for Byron Jones met with the organization on Friday, with the understanding that the cornerback will test the open market.

This shouldn’t come as any surprise if you’ve been following the situation closely. As has been reported for quite some time by Patrik Walker of CBS Sports, the Cowboys want to keep Jones, however, they want to do so within the range of 12-13 million annually instead of the 15-16 million a year he’ll more than likely get on the open market. Suitors such as the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and Denver Broncos are expected to make a run at Jones.

Since being drafted in 2015, Jones has started in 73 of the 79 games he’s played in. After spending three years at safety, he finally found his permanent home at corner of the last two seasons, and it’s paid off. Jones was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2018, and after another good 2019 campaign, has put his name in the conversation as one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL. He may not cause a lot of turnovers with only two career interceptions, but he’s only allowed quarterbacks to complete 52% of their passes against him for 26 yards a game since 2018.

Now, Jones will hit the open market which will all but end his days with the Cowboys. The cornerback position, in the draft and free agency, just got a little more important in Dallas.