While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.
However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we continue the series with safety Byron Jones.
Views of #31 Safety Byron Jones from the 2017-18 Regular Season.
10 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) defends as New York Giants wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) runs a route during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
10 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
16 September 2017: Byron Jones of the Dallas Cowboys departing DFW Airport for their regular season week 2 game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Cardinals, 28-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) runs after the catch in front of Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) during an NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Chaz Green (79) and safety Byron Jones (31) run onto the field while being introduced before a 2017 NFL week 4 regular season game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Rams defeated the Cowboys, 35-30. (James D. Smith via AP)
01 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys' Xavier Woods (25) and Byron Jones (31) break up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys' Jeff Heath (38) and Byron Jones (31) celebrate breaking up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) celebrates breaking up a pass for a Los Angeles Rams receiver during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
DAL vs GB
08 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
08 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck via AP)
08 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck via AP)
08 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
28 October 2017: Bryon Jones of the Dallas Cowboys departing for their game at the Washington Redskins at DFW Airport, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
05 November 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
05 November 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs' Kareem Hunt (27) leaps over the attempted stop by Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence (90) as safety Byron Jones (31) comes over to help during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
05 November 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys' Damien Wilson (57) and Byron Jones (31) watch as Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith (11) signals at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sarah Warnock)
Dallas Cowboys' Byron Jones (31) and Damien Wilson (57) attempt to stop Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) as he carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) comes in to tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a 2017 NFL week 9 regular season game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Chiefs, 28-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys' Byron Jones (31) and Jeff Heath celebrate a interception by Heath on a Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith pass in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
DAL Vs ATL Departure
DAL Vs ATL
12 November 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball past Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) during an NFL football game, Sunday, November 12, 2017, in Atlanta. (Paul Abell via AP)
12 November 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs LAC
23 November 2017: Bryon Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Bryon Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Byron Jones (31) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Byron Jones (31) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
16 December 2017: Byron Jones of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles' Nate Sudfeld (7) gets sacked by Dallas Cowboys' Anthony Brown (30) as Byron Jones (31) leaps over him during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelphia. Dallas won 6-0. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones (31) in action against Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (13) during an NFL game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Brad Penner)
31 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Byron Jones (31)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
What's Been Good:
Since his rookie season in 2015, Jones has done whatever is asked of him in the secondary. He has played corner. He has played safety. He has played the nickel. He has successfully defended some of the NFL's best tight ends. Jones' combination of size (6-0, 205) and elite speed – The New York Times recently clocked him as the NFL's fastest defensive back – makes him an asset against the new wave of downfield pass-catching tight ends.
What's Been Bad:
Jones played mostly safety the last two seasons, and during last year's training camp, he appeared to find a comfort level as a playmaker back there. Yet he found himself playing closer to the line of scrimmage last season, and by the end of the year, Kavon Frazier had earned additional playing time in what evolved into a safety rotation. Jones' average defensive snaps dropped from 62.5 in the first 11 games to 44.6 snaps over the final five games. Jones did record his second career interception in 2017 – a pick-six to close out the Washington Redskins in Week 8 – but has acknowledged he must produce more takeaways for the defense. That's a priority for Rod Marinelli's entire group.
2017 Highlight:
Jones had six pass breakups last season, but none more important than his third-down deflection against Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook – the hero of the Packers' divisional-round upset win over Dallas in 2016. Jones' breakup forced Oakland to punt with 6:42 remaining, and the Cowboys would score the deciding field goal on the next drive to ultimately keep their playoff hopes afloat.
What's Next:
The Cowboys hired Kris Richard as their new secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator, and he'll have input on where Jones' skills fit best. Richard has an excellent track record working with the Seattle Seahawks' defensive backs who went to a pair of Super Bowls. Perhaps corner is a possibility for Jones once again, as has been speculated. Much could depend on how the Cowboys plan to use some of their talented defensive backs, such as Awuzie and Xavier Woods, and the future of veteran Orlando Scandrick, who is under contract through 2019 but wasn't sure in December whether he'd be back for an 11th season in Dallas.
- The curse of Byron Jones is his flexibility.
- The staff raves about his ability to play several different roles, and now looking back that has hurt him.
- He came into the league with questions about where he was going to play. 'Is he a corner or safety?
- They tried him initially at corner his first season then made the switch to safety.
- He's covered some of the best players in the business but he's also had some blown opportunities.
- With Richard now his secondary coach, there is some talk of moving him back to corner for the best fit.
- Jones has one more season on his rookie contract unless the Cowboys pick up his fifth-year option as a former first-round pick.
- What is going to be difficult is if he eventually walks and another club figures out his best spot, then he thrives like he is capable of doing.
- Jones has played in 48 games during his career, which is hardly a bust, but it's a shame in those games we haven't figured out a spot for him yet.
