Dallas Cowboys: Linebacker should be most improved unit in 2020

The Dallas Cowboys linebacker corps failed to live up to their billing last season – expect that to change in 2020.

A big reason the Dallas Cowboys defense saw so much success in 2018 was the elite play from the linebacker position. Rookie Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, and Sean Lee formed one of the best, if not THE best, linebacker trios in the entire NFL. Even coverage linebacker Joe Thomas impressed Cowboys Nation (he actually looked better than Sean Lee that season).

But something changed last season. Turmoil in the ranks of the linebacker room caused a fraction between coach and players. Production and execution suffered leading to a very disappointing season from what was expected to be the Dallas Cowboys’ strongest defensive unit.

Leighton Vander Esch regressed immensely. Before he was lost to a season-ending neck injury, he was overrunning plays and missing routine tackles. His missed tackle percentage of 15.3% nearly tripled in his sophomore season and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 49th linebacker in the NFL based on his play.

Jaylon Smith fell back down to earth as well. The splash play machine from 2018 was considerably more inconsistent in his third season. PFF dropped his top-5 score in 2018 to No. 17 in 2019. He was still clearly the best linebacker on the Dallas Cowboys but he was hardly the elite producer from a season before. Joe Thomas and Sean Lee rounded out the unit, both performing admirably but neither player justified the use of so many 3-LB sets.

The Dallas Cowboys linebacker unit was expected to be the backbone of the defense. The consistent production and sideline-to-sideline speed of LVE, combined with the constant big play threat that is Jaylon, was supposed to strike fear in opponents. Instead, all-too-often, they disappeared.

Lee kept the unit alive when he replaced LVE in the lineup, but being simply “alive” is not what any of us had in mind for this linebacking corps. They were supposed to be dominant. They were supposed to be the best in the NFL. Instead they were pedestrian.

Why it will change

LVE seems to get a pass since his season ended prematurely, but the reality is he was playing poorly before that injury ever happened. Many people falsely point to Jaylon’s big deal as a reason he let off the gas and regressed. For those that know Jaylon’s character – they know that’s clearly not the case.

So what caused this poor play and why will it improve in 2020? We addressed the friction between LB coach Ben Bloom and his players earlier. Never underestimate the effects of a dysfunctional player-coach relationship.

In 2020 that all changes. Mike McCarthy brought in LB guru Mike Nolan to lead the defense in 2020. Coaches Scott McCurley and George Edwards also offer reason for optimism in the LB ranks.

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Another item holding them back last season was Rod Marinelli’s neglect of the 1-tech position. Marinelli has long believed just about anyone can handle the abuse and riggers of the 1-tech DT, as such he’s refused to invest in the position. The problem with having sub-par players at 1-tech is that linebackers are left sifting through the trash. You see, great DTs keep offensive linemen from reaching the next level. When they can’t , and O-linemen break free, Jaylon and Leighton are forced to fight off a blocker roughly 100lbs their superior. It takes a toll.

Keep in mind, Maliek Collins may have had a breakout season as a pass-rusher but he was terrible against the run. There were far too many offensive linemen in the Cowboys second level last season. The regression is understandable.

With the new coaching staff more willing to invest inside, it’s going to open up opportunities for Jaylon and LVE to make plays.

Finally, it’s the Dallas Cowboys insistence on using the 4-3 base defense against 11 personnel. Typically, teams will flip to nickel defense which employs just two linebackers when opposing offenses trot out three receivers. The Dallas Cowboys routinely asked Jaylon and Leighton to matchup in coverage on obvious passing downs. The Dallas Cowboys just failed to adjust (where have we heard that before).

Next. Top-5 free agent DTs the Cowboys should target. dark

A harmonious locker room, an upgraded defensive coaching staff, an upgrade at DT, and respect for 11 personnel all indicate 2020 will be a bounce-back season for the Dallas Cowboys LB corps.

Published on 01/29/2020 at 17:01 PM
Last updated at 01/29/2020 at 14:18 PM

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