Linebacker

Is Kyle Wilber the Front Runner for OLB?

The Cowboys did not add any new talent to the linebacker group for the 2016 season. Free agency came and went without any fresh faces being signed. Though they drafted Jaylon Smith in the second round he is not expected to play this year. To the surprise of some, Dallas will trust in last year’s group to develop and improve. All of those players but one were still under contract; Andrew Gachkar, Anthony Hitchens, Mark Nzeocha, and Damien Wilson.

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Written by: Jess Haynie

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Is An Early Return For Jaylon Smith Possible?

The Dallas Cowboys 2nd round selection of Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith left most in complete and utter shock. After being regarded as a potential top 5 pick in the 2016 NFL draft for most of his final collegiate season, Smith tore both the ACL and LCL in his knee during the Fiesta Bowl last New Years Day. It was a heartbreaking scene. One that could have brought even the most sworn hater of the Fighting Irish to sadness. But while tearing those ligaments presented Smith with a long enough recovery, it is the nerve damage in that same leg which is creating the biggest obstacle.

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Written by: Kevin Brady

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Who will Emerge from the Cowboys Linebackers?

Dating all the way back to the 2005 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have selected at least one linebacker every year. Many of them have not worked out, but the position still remains one that has a seemingly bright future with a solid amount of depth. When both healthy and in sync, Sean Lee and Rolando McClain are as good of a tandem at this position than anyone in the league. Since Dallas’ defense often plays dominantly in nickel packages, Lee and McClain see plenty of snaps as the only 2 linebackers needed on the field. However, the Cowboys current situation at LB may not be very sustainable in a long-term approach.

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Written by: Sean Martin

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Jaylon Smith: He’s Got The Rush, But No Interceptions?

If you’re like me, one of the first things you did when the Dallas Cowboys drafted Jaylon Smith was drop your jaw. I mean, how could the Cowboys take someone at 34th overall who very likely won’t play a snap this season, and may never take another one again? Once I turned on the tape of him at Notre Dame, that answer became a lot less murky. Ladies and gentlemen, Jaylon Smith is an absolute star at linebacker. Throughout his college career, he has showed instincts, anticipation, patience, toughness, and knowledge.

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Written by: The Landry Trophy

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Draft Film Review: Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith

Finishing so poorly in 2015, the Cowboys were in prime position to add two first-round type players with their 4th and 34th overall selections. Fans wanted more than just first round talent, however, they wanted two players who could make an immediate impact in 2016. They got just that in Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall. The Cowboys then caused quite an uproar with their second round selection, Notre Dame Linebacker Jaylon Smith. Smith was a consensus top-ten pick entering the New Year, but on January 1st of this year the trajectory of his entire career changed when he suffered a severe knee injury.

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Written by: Kevin Brady

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Cowboys Draft: 2nd Round Risks Continue In 2016

The Dallas Cowboys shocked the world tonight. Sitting at 34th overall with players such as Noah Spence, Andrew Billings, and Jonathan Bullard all still on the board, the Cowboys instead drafted Notre Dame Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who comes with more Day 1 questions than answers. Every draft scout seems to have the same sentiment on Smith. If he is healthy, and the nerve in his knee wakes up, he will be a great player in this league. Injuries aside, he very well might have been a top 5 pick in this draft, maybe even to the Cowboys at #4.

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Written by: Kevin Brady

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Cowboys Draft: 2nd Round Risks Continue In 2016

The Dallas Cowboys shocked the world tonight. Sitting at 34th overall with players such as Noah Spence, Andrew Billings, and Jonathan Bullard all still on the board, the Cowboys instead drafted Notre Dame Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who comes with more Day 1 questions than answers. Every draft scout seems to have the same sentiment on Smith. If he is healthy, and the nerve in his knee wakes up, he will be a great player in this league. Injuries aside, he very well might have been a top 5 pick in this draft, maybe even to the Cowboys at #4.

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Written by: Kevin Brady

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The Dallas Cowboys Select Jaylon Smith at #34

The Dallas Cowboys grabbed Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick last night, and tonight entered day 2 of the NFL Draft with needs across the defense. Appetizing names such as Noah Spence, Jonathan Bullard, Ronald Blair, A’Shawn Robinson, and a host of other talented defensive linemen fell through the first round and were all potential targets for Dallas at #34. There was also a lot of speculation that the Cowboys would trade up or down from this pick. Instead, they stayed put, and added a talented linebacker out of Notre Dame that will not see the field in 2016. The unfortunately injured Jaylon Smith became the 34th overall selection of the Dallas Cowboys.

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Written by: Sean Martin

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The Dallas Cowboys Select Jaylon Smith at #34

The Dallas Cowboys grabbed Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick last night, and tonight entered day 2 of the NFL Draft with needs across the defense. Appetizing names such as Noah Spence, Jonathan Bullard, Ronald Blair, A’Shawn Robinson, and a host of other talented defensive linemen fell through the first round and were all potential targets for Dallas at #34. There was also a lot of speculation that the Cowboys would trade up or down from this pick. Instead, they stayed put, and added a talented linebacker out of Notre Dame that will not see the field in 2016. The unfortunately injured Jaylon Smith became the 34th overall selection of the Dallas Cowboys.

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Written by: Sean Martin

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How Myles Jack Can Become a Cowboy

On Thursday I posted my first 2016 mock draft, covering Dallas’ first and second-round picks. I thought I would dive deeper into each of my selections for the Cowboys, beginning today with the first-round pick of linebacker Myles Jack. Before we talk about the future let’s briefly review … Read more

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Written by: Jess Haynie

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