In 2013, the Dallas Cowboys spent a third round draft pick on J.J. Wilcox despite only having played one year of safety at Georgia Southern. Wilcox got his NFL career off to a good start despite the loss of his mother in the preseason.
In 2013, Wilcox played in 13 games before suffering a knee injury and recorded a respectable 38 tackles along with one pass defended. In 2014, he started all 16 games registering 74 tackles (good for fourth on the team), three interceptions, five passes defended, and a forced fumble.
Entering his third season this year, some (myself included) thought that 2015 would be a breakout year, but his play, however, has seemed to severely regress. Through 11 games, he has only managed to record 31 tackles. Wilcox has become known for missed tackles and taking such terrible angles to the ball carrier; he at times looks as though he’s playing for the opposing team.
Dallas has five games left, they could very well be the last five games that several players will have that coveted star on their helmet if their play doesn’t drastically improve. So far, Wilcox could very well land on that list.
While Wilcox’s contract will run through the 2016 season, if the Cowboys are in a position to draft a player like Jalen Ramsey, then Wilcox could become expendable and find himself looking for a new team.
