Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection 3.0: Would you rather…
By Reid Hanson
Linebacker (6)
Sean Lee/Jaylon Smith/Leighton Vander Esch/Joe Thomas/Damien Wilson/ Justin March-Lillard
Over the last decade, linebacker has never been more valuable in the NFL. With the changes on kick coverage, the rise of the run-pass option, and number of long and quick tight ends, keeping just five LBs on a roster is impossible.
Sean Lee will be the starter at WILL. Jaylon has MIKE absolutely locked down. And Wilson has the SAM. But that doesn’t mean other players won’t be rotating in. Joe Thomas looks like a beast and can be used in nickel or even in occasional relief of Sean Lee at WILL.
LVE will focus on learning MIKE and will spell Smith from time to time. This will allow Smith to get some snaps in the 3-3-5 nickel where he can serve as a pass-rushing linebacker. JML wins the final spot over Chris Covington because he’s shown he can do more right now.
Expect Covington to go to the practice squad and be the first to be called up when the inevitable injury arises. All in all, this may be one of the deepest units on the team and if the defensive line handles their business like we all expect them to, these LBs will be flying around making plays everywhere.