Watch Cowboys rookie safety Donovan Wilson get his third interception in as many games
Turnovers are a huge point of emphasis for the Cowboys defense in 2019 and so far so good in the preseason.
The Cowboys have eight interceptions in the preseason after seven during the 2018 regular season.
Three came in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday night, including a 26-yard picked six return for a touchdown by cornerback Donovan Olumba and picks by safeties Tyvis Powell and Donovan Wilson.
Wilson, a sixth-round pick from Texas A&M, continued to flash ability to make plays and turn the ball over with his diving pick in the second quarter. It was his third preseason game with an interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson safety had earned a higher grade (93.7) than any other rookie in the league over his first three preseason performances.
“With two of his three overall game grades surpassing 90.0, Donovan Wilson has gotten the attention of everyone at PFF, and he should be getting everyone else’s attention too,” Anthony Treash of PFF wrote last week. “Of his three targets in coverage, Wilson has intercepted two of them.”
Wilson’s interception against the Houston Texans last week was an acrobatic, toe tapper that had his teammates going crazy on the sideline.
He has secured his spot on the roster, the question is can he push Jeff Heath for the starting spot at strong safety opposite Xavier Woods.
There is doubting that Woods and Wilson could be the duo of the future.
He left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury. But he should be fine and ready to go for the season opener, per owner Jerry Jones.
“I thought he has made plays,” Jones said on Wilson impressive play. “He didn’t get a chance during his college career to say we can put a real stamp on him as a guy that plays the ball, makes plays on the ball. We are seeing him have the opportunities. We are seeing it now. He can play the ball. He does play the ball. He can play center field. What we know he does well is step down and play near the line that really gives us excitement for the future.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2019 at 9:22 PM.