3 Important Insurance-Policy Players on the Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys Insurance Policy No. 3: Sean Lee

Sean Lee figures to get plenty of snaps as a top-3 linebacker when the Dallas Cowboys roll out their base 4-3, but it’s his support as a depth piece that really shows his value to the team. As insurance to Leighton Vander Esch (and to a lesser degree, Jaylon Smith), Sean Lee’s presence ensures the Dallas defense can tread water in case injury befalls one of their premiere LBs.  Lee, quite possibly the most knowledgeable player on the entire defense, can play any of the three linebacker spots in an even-man front.

His knowledge for the game and experience allows the Dallas Cowboys to drop him in any spot without worry. That can keep Jaylon and LVE fresh, but it can also insure the spot should LVE not get back to his 2018 self. Poor play and a nasty neck injury tarnished LVE’s sophomore campaign and how he comes back in 2020 is really anyone’s guess.

Vander Esch says he’s 100%, but when was the last time you heard a returning player say otherwise? The Cowboys are hoping their Pro Bowler from 2018 comes back healthy and without hesitation, but they have to prepare for the worst. That’s why retaining Sean Lee was so important.

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Insurance is good

None of these players spark excitement in the masses but they raise the floor and insure against disaster. Don’t overlook the importance of these three players, they are affordable, reliable, and if things go poorly – they’re invaluable.

Hopefully these three players won’t have a big role in 2020 because that would mean things turned out for the high-ceiling players ahead of them, but let’s not get too eager to move on quite yet because the responsible thing to do is to prepare for the worst.

Not listed is Andy Dalton. While Dalton plays the most important position in sports, we fully expect the unsigned Dak Prescott to play this season (whether it’s on a new deal or on the Franchise Tag) and when he does he’s expected to lead one of the best offense in the NFL (More on that here: Dak Prescott’s Leverage) so their’s very little risk at QB1 this season.