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Top five cornerbacks for Redskins to target in 2020 free agency

By Jacob Camenker

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers breaks up a pass intended for Dede Westbrook #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers breaks up a pass intended for Dede Westbrook #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 22: Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 22: Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Cornerback. Dallas Cowboys. Byron Jones. 2. player. 123.

Any time you can land one of the best players from a rival team in free agency, you have to at least consider doing it. And by that logic, Byron Jones is going to be a target of the Washington Redskins.

Jones has been with the Dallas Cowboys for the past five seasons since being a first-round draft pick out of UConn back in 2015. Jones has been a starter all four years and has played every position in the secondary thanks to his excellent athletic ability. But in more recent seasons, Jones has served as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. And he has fared well in that role.

Jones is one of the best cover-men in the league. He simply can stick with any receiver and makes it difficult for them to catch the ball. And because of his versatility, he can play anywhere on the field. Worried that the slot man is going to have a big day? Put Jones on him. Having trouble with injuries at safety? Play Jones there for a game.

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That’s always a nice thing for a coach to have in their pocket, especially given that Jones has only missed one game in his NFL career.

The only real concern with Jones is that he doesn’t make a lot of splash plays. He has two interceptions in his five-year career and has averaged just over eight pass defenses per year. Of course, some of this has to do with the fact that Jones is so good in coverage that teams don’t throw his way often (his 53 targets ranked 73rd in the NFL per Pro Football Focus). But players on massive contracts have to make splash plays every now and then, and that may be difficult for Jones.

This is just a minor concern that has to be noted. Jones is still excellent in coverage and surely qualifies as one of the league’s best corners.

While the Cowboys would probably like to retain the 27-year-old Jones, they have a lot of other contracts to deal with this offseason including Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. If they can’t lock up all three, it’s possible that Jones will hit the open market. If he does, expect Washington to consider him as pairing him with Dunbar long-term could make the ‘Skins very hard to throw on.

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