If there is one position the Dallas Cowboys are loaded, it is at linebacker. Between the three starters, it is difficult to determine who the best Dallas Cowboys linebacker on the 2019 roster is. Those three starters, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and Sean Lee are among the top players at the position in the entire league. Will the talent the Cowboys have at that position lead them to dominance this season, or will a history of injuries hold them back from realizing their full potential?
Jaylon Smith, the newly crowned QB of the defense, is a rising star at middle linebacker. He fought his way back from a near career ending injury in his final college game and has shown why he was considered a top 5 draft pick before that injury occurred. Smith made a strong case to make the Pro-Bowl in 2018 and if he continues to play as well as he did last season, it would be hard to deny him that honor in 2019. Smith is an explosive player that hits hard and makes plays all over the field. He was rewarded by the Dallas Cowboys with a contract extension recently and will be a mainstay on the Cowboys defense for years to come.
At weakside linebacker, second year standout Leighton Vander Esch played so well in his rookie season, that he made the Pro-Bowl and was named 2nd team All-Pro on route to earning Sean Lee’s job permanently. The “Wolf Hunter” as he is affectionately known, far exceeded anyone’s expectations and he is just scratching the surface of his true potential. Vander Esch is long, athletic, and quick. He is always around the football making plays and flying from sideline to sideline. Excelling as a tackler and in coverage, he makes key stops on or behind the line of scrimmage and he creates turnovers. The sky is the limit for this young player.
At strong side linebacker, the Dallas Cowboys had to replace free agent Damien Wilson. They did so by moving longtime standout Sean Lee after Vander Esch replaced him in the lineup. The return of Sean Lee for one more season came as a surprise to most Dallas Cowboy fans. This fan base has known for many years how good of a player Sean Lee is but he was just unable to stay healthy. Last season, Lee was replaced by Vander Esch after suffering yet another injury. When he returned to the field, he was not the same player that Cowboy fans remembered. After mulling retirement and then taking a paycut in the offseason, Lee has decided to play another year and make the move to the strong side linebacker position. He will play limited snaps which will hopefully help him stay healthy and contribute. His value as a leader and his football intelligence are beyond measure. Additionally, if Smith or Vander Esch get injured, Lee can step in and play either of their positions at a high level.
The three starting linebackers are rightfully so generating a lot of optimism among Cowboys faithful but there is also excitement about the depth at that position. Joe Thomas can play any three of the linebacker positions and for the second straight year has shown up in the preseason for Dallas. Last year Thomas was slowed by injuries but this year if he gets an opportunity to play, he will provide the Cowboys with yet another playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to Thomas, undrafted free agents Luke Gifford and Justin Phillips have also played really well in the pre-season and both have a shot to crack the roster. Gifford suffered a high ankle sprain in the pre-season game against the Rams but he was so impressive before that, he may still find a way to make the team.
To round out the Dallas Cowboys linebacker depth there is veteran Justin March, UDFA Nate Hall, and second year players Chris Covington and Kyle Queiro. Justin March (formerly Justin March-Lillard) should make the team in addition to Joe Thomas but beyond that will be a battle to the finish. Special teams value will have a huge impact on who does and does not make the team here.
The outlook for the Dallas Cowboys linebacker unit is the best it has ever been, or at least since the Doomsday Defense’s of the 70’s. The biggest concern whether or not all three star linebackers Smith, Vander Esch, and Lee, can stay healthy for the duration of the season.
*Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode