With the draft fast approaching, the Dallas Cowboys have needs all across the board. Over the next two weeks we will offer up a position-by-position review of the roster and match up the best available in the draft at those positions.
LINEBACKER
On the roster: Sean Lee (signed through 2019), Rolando McClain (signed through 2016), Andrew Gachkar (signed through 2016), Kyle Wilber (signed through 2017), Anthony Hitchens (signed through 2017), Damien Wilson (signed through 2018), Keith Smith (signed through 2017), Mark Nzeocha (signed through 2017), Derek Akunne (signed through 2017), Jerrell Harris (signed through 2017)
Cap status: Lee $5.95 million, McClain $3.375 million, Gachkar $1.9 million, Wilber $1.5 million, Hitchens $708,716, Wilson $641,579, Smith $600,000, Nzeocha $541,087, Akunne $450,000, Harris $450,000
Best available in draft: Myles Jack, Reggie Ragland
Down the line: Kentrell Brothers, Darron Lee, Jaylon Smith, Kamalei Correa
Position review: Sean Lee returned in 2015 and played in 14 games and was added to the Pro Bowl after leading the Cowboys in tackles. The hope is that he is past the severe injury problems that have forced him to miss so many games. When he is on the field, the defense functions better.
McClain is back for his third season but this will be his first one going through the full offseason program. That should benefit him if he does not have any setbacks. When he is focused, he is an all-over-the-field playmaker. Hitchens was more productive as a rookie but his flexibility gives the Cowboys options.
Wilber is a nice component to have because he can play all three linebacker spots if necessary, as well as put his hand on the ground to rush the passer. Against power teams, he is a good fit at strong-side linebacker.
Gachkar was brought in to be a core special-teamer and spot starter if needed. He wasn’t needed as much last year, but the Cowboys have confidence he can handle three linebacker spots.
Wilson played defensive snaps in just one game last year and is a mystery. Nzeocha spent most of his rookie season rehabbing his knee. The hope is he becomes a core special-teamer.
Draft need: MEDIUM/LOW: They re-signed McClain and Wilber. They have Lee and Hitchens. They also committed mid-round resources on the spot the last few years. Generally the Cowboys keep seven linebackers on the 53-man roster. There is a need, but not a big one compared to other spots.
The linebacker scene: When the Cowboys ran a 3-4 defense, they had specific traits for linebackers. They needed to be big, strong and run. In their 4-3 scheme, speed is the most important asset.
Jack might be the best athlete in the draft. He is a sideline-to-sideline player. His athleticism allows him to cover receivers, backs and tight ends. The long-term questions about a knee injury could prevent the Cowboys from taking him at No. 4 overall.
Two years ago the Cowboys loved Ryan Shazier and would have taken him at No. 16 overall. Lee took over for Shazier at Ohio State and has some of the same traits. He can fly.
Correa might be best fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker because he does not have the bulk, but he could be an interesting hybrid player for the Cowboys as a pass rusher. The problem is this defense doesn’t seem creative enough to find uses for players like this the way they could in a 3-4 scheme.
If not for a knee injury, Smith would be a top-five pick. Maybe even the top pick. He will likely need a redshirt year in the NFL because of the injury. The Cowboys will know all they need to know about him. His brother, Rod, is a running back on their roster. One of their doctors, Dr. Dan Cooper, performed Smith’s surgery. The Cowboys have shown patience with players coming into the league with injuries, like Lee and Bruce Carter. There could come a point where the Cowboys are willing to take him, rehab him and have him take the field in 2017.
The best guess: The Cowboys always have to guard against injury considering their linebackers. They have had to do a lot of juggling in-season the last few years. If they feel good about the condition of Jack’s knee, they could go linebacker early but their list of known pre-draft visitors says otherwise.
The series: