Cowboys Safety Position 2025: Depth, Versatility & Starting-Caliber Options
The Cowboys safety position in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing units on the roster. Dallas enters the season with four returning safeties who offer starting-level talent, plus a group of promising newcomers that could shake up the depth chart.
Proven Starters: Donovan Wilson & Malik Hooker Anchor the Group
Donovan Wilson remains a tone-setter on the Cowboys defense. With nearly 50 starts in the past three seasons, Wilson thrives as a downhill enforcer. He brings elite physicality to the box, totaling 6 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles, and 13 sacks in 60 starts. His Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades consistently near 70 against the run and as a blitzer.
However, Wilson’s coverage limitations can’t be ignored. His 56.6 PFF coverage grade exposes his vulnerability against top-tier pass catchers. If any backup shows similar run-stopping ability with better coverage, Wilson’s starting job could be in jeopardy.
On the other hand, Malik Hooker brings steadiness and experience. Though he’s not known for big plays, Hooker rarely gets beat deep and is effective in both single-high and box roles. He may not have the sideline-to-sideline range teams crave, but he rarely blows assignments and adds reliability to the back end.
Markquese Bell: A Hybrid Star in the Making?
Markquese Bell emerged as a surprise contributor in 2023, starting eight games at linebacker despite being undersized at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. Bell logged 94 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and a missed tackle rate of just 4.1% — elite by any standard.
His 87.6 coverage grade in a linebacker role is especially notable. While he may not project as a true free safety, Bell has the tools to solidify the box safety spot and become a hybrid chess piece in Dan Quinn’s defense.
Juanyeh Thomas: Can He Regain 2023 Form?
Juanyeh Thomas impressed in 2023 with an 85.9 coverage grade and 81.1 overall rating, playing 192 defensive snaps. However, he regressed in 2024, struggling to find consistency in Mike Zimmer’s defense, with his grades falling nearly 25 points.
Still, Thomas’ upside remains. If he recaptures his 2023 form, Dallas could shift Hooker into a strong safety role while giving Thomas a shot at the rangy free safety position.
Roster Locks and Rising Rookies
With Wilson, Hooker, Bell, and Thomas all but guaranteed roster spots (barring a surprise salary-cap cut), the Cowboys safety room already feels deep. However, rookies like Alijah Clark and Zion Childress are pushing hard for playing time.
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Alijah Clark: Versatile, with nearly 600 college snaps at free safety, in the box, and in the slot. He impressed in OTAs, even earning first-team reps.
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Zion Childress: Brings experience and production with over 3,000 snaps across multiple roles. Expect him to contribute on special teams and potentially in sub-packages.
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Mike Smith Jr.: A team captain at Eastern Kentucky, Smith faces a steep climb adjusting from FCS to the NFL, but his leadership and work ethic make him a developmental candidate.
Final Thoughts: Strength in Numbers for the Cowboys Secondary
The Cowboys safety position in 2025 offers a rare combination of proven experience, positional flexibility, and young potential. Wilson and Hooker provide a solid veteran foundation, while Bell and Thomas bring high-upside intrigue. Add in hungry rookies like Clark and Childress, and the unit might be one of the deepest in the NFL.
As training camp unfolds, Dallas will face tough decisions on who starts and how to rotate the group — but that’s the kind of problem defensive coordinators love to have.
