Juanyeh Thomas: The Cowboys’ Missing Piece At Safety

The Case for Juanyeh Thomas

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2025 season with high expectations for their defense, believing it could be a stabilizing force. Instead, it has been marked by inconsistency, particularly in the secondary.

Missed tackles, lapses in coverage, and poor communication have led to too many explosive plays, forcing the unit to play on its heels.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has leaned on veterans to provide stability, but the results havent matched the talent level.

Thats why Juanyeh Thomas deserves a closer look. In the last two weeks, Thomas has quietly delivered some of the steadiest safety play on the roster.

He has been assignment-sound, dependable as a tackler, and versatile enough to line up at free safety, in the box, or even in the slot without being a liability.

For a Dallas defense struggling to find answers, his performance should earn him a promotion into the starting lineup.

What the Last Two Weeks Show

From PFF, Juanyeh Thomas has put together back-to-back solid weeks. In Week 3 against Chicago, he played nine snaps, eight of them in the box and one at free safety.

Despite the limited usage, he graded out well with a 72.5 defensive grade, a 69.5 run defense grade, and a 74.7 tackling grade. More importantly, he recorded two tackles without a single miss and was not targeted in coverage.

The following week against Green Bay, his role expanded significantly. Thomas was on the field for 51 snaps, spending 37 at free safety, six in the box, seven in the slot, and one at corner.

He posted a 66.1 defensive grade, highlighted by an outstanding 80.6 tackling grade and a steady 65.8 coverage grade. Once again, he finished with two tackles and no misses, while keeping a clean sheet in coverage by not allowing a single reception.

Taken together, Thomas two-week stretch shows a defender who can be trusted. In 60 snaps, he logged four tackles, did not miss any, and never gave up a catch.

His alignment versatility is equally impressive, demonstrating that he can function as a true free safety while also rotating into the box or covering from the slot when needed.

Why Juanyeh Thomas Fits What Dallas Needs

Dallas has been repeatedly beaten on deep overs, crossers, and seam routes. Juanyeh Thomass ability to play as a disciplined post safety in Week 4 against the Packers showed that he can help limit those types of explosive plays.

The Cowboys have also suffered from poor tackling angles, something Thomas has avoided by making every play he had a chance at over the past two weeks.

His reliability in space makes him the kind of safety this defense desperately needs.

Another factor in Thomass favor is his flexibility within Eberflus system. By rotating between free safety, the box, and the slot, he gives the Cowboys the ability to disguise coverages and change the look for opposing quarterbacks.

That level of adaptability is something Dallas has lacked, and it provides a tactical advantage that goes beyond just plugging a hole at safety.

How Thomas Can Mask Donovan Wilsons Weaknesses

Donovan Wilson remains an enforcer near the line of scrimmage, but his limitations in coverage have been exposed.

He has been targeted twelve times, allowing eight receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while opponents have posted a 99.3 passer rating when throwing his way.

By starting Juanyeh Thomas alongside Donovan Wilson, Dallas can balance the safety pairing.

Thomas has demonstrated his ability to handle more of the deep coverage responsibilities, keeping receivers in front of him and eliminating breakdowns that lead to big plays.

With Thomas controlling the back end, Wilson is freed up to play downhill, attack gaps in the run game, and cover short zones where his physical style is most effective.

This arrangement lets both players focus on their strengths while reducing the chances that Wilson will be isolated and exploited in space.

Why the Cowboys Must Act Now

The Cowboys cannot afford to let another season slip away because of defensive breakdowns in the secondary.

Juanyeh Thomas steady play and versatility give Dallas exactly what it has been missinga safety who can clean up mistakes, tackle reliably in space, and provide stability in coverage.

Starting him not only helps mask DonovanWilsons weaknesses but also strengthens the entire structure of the defense.

With playoff hopes on the line, small tweaks like elevating Thomas could make a massive difference.

The Cowboys dont need him to be a superstarthey need him to be consistent, assignment-sound, and dependable. And through the past two weeks, thats exactly what hes proven to be.

If Dallas wants to re-establish its defensive identity and make a real push in the NFC East, it starts by giving Juanyeh Thomas the chance to take over at safety.