Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down by Positional Groups Heading into Season
By Lennon Rush
Stock Up: The Linebackers
(6). Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander-Esch, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Justin March-Lillard, Luke Gifford
When both halves of your Front Seven are worthy of a stock-up diagnoses, look out. With the help of some outstanding linebackers in Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander-Esch, the Dallas Cowboys look to employ one of the fastest and more gap-sound defenses in 2019.
Tasked with reading keys at an electric pace and keeping up with some of the most athletically gifted individuals to ever play football, off-ball linebackers are more essential to a team’s success than ever in today’s pass-heavy NFL. Not only do the Cowboys have two of the league’s best starters at this position, but there’s a strong argument for Dallas hoarding the most all-around talent at linebacker, too. Between the former First-Team All-Pro Sean Lee almost back from injury and sturdy veteran Joe Thomas destined to serve as critical depth, Dallas can rest easy knowing their linebacking core are in good hands come 2019.
Further down the list, you’ll find ST ace Justin March-Lillard and the injured, yet promising Luke Gifford. Expectations from this duo should be limited, but it’s nice to know there are additional bodies soaking up expertise and teachings from an uber-talented bunch.