NFL Rumors: Morris Claiborne Playing Receiver Is a Horrible Idea

Recently-drafted Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne has expressed interest in playing some receiver this season and that would be a terrible idea.

Claiborne went on 103.3 FM in Dallas on Monday and claimed that he would love to play some wideout this year and become a two-way player. While I appreciate his enthusiasm, this makes no sense whatsoever.

The Cowboys didn't trade up eight spots in the 2012 NFL draft to select Claiborne at No. 6 so that he could experiment on offense. Dallas made that move because its secondary was awful last season and they needed a legitimate shutdown cornerback.

Claiborne needs to come in and solely focus on transitioning to the NFL at his best position, not doing that in addition to playing some receiver. 

Claiborne started his career at LSU as a wideout, so I can understand the instinct to play both ways in the NFL. But Dallas already has two solid receivers in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.

The 23-year-old Bryant needs as many reps as he can get and continue the process of becoming polished at the position, especially after racking up just 108 catches in his first two seasons.

In addition to that, the Cowboys have other young receivers like Andre Holmes, Dwayne Harris, Raymond Radway and this year's fifth-round pick, Danny Coale out of Virginia Tech. All of those players are 24 or younger and need as much practice time as possible if they hope to develop. Throwing Claiborne into the mix would only serve to stunt their potential growth. 

If Claiborne wants to contribute somewhere other than the secondary, he can step in on special teams as a returner. But his sole focus other than that should be to solidify a secondary that allowed 244.1 yards per game in 2011.