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We already took a look at the receivers, a position the Cowboys have focused much of their attention on. We’ll continue today with the linebacker position. The Cowboys usually deploy two starting linebackers and they have one good one, and one that the jury is still out on. The problem is that Sean Lee missed five games last season and Jaylon Smith is still trying to reach his previous level before the injury.
The Cowboys still need a third starting-caliber linebacker that can replace Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Chiefs during free agency. Looking at the landscape of linebackers that should be of interest, here’s a collection of their collegiate production among other things:
| Name | School | Tackles | TFL's | Int | 40 time | Sacks | Fumbles | Pos. Rank | Proj. Round | Pro Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tremaine Edmunds (6'4, 253 lbs) | Virginia Tech | 213 | 33 | 1 | 4.54 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Brian Urlacher |
| Roquan Smith (6'1, 236 lbs) | Georgia | 252 | 20.5 | 0 | 4.51 | 6.5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Deion Jones |
| Leighton Vander Esch (6'4, 256 lbs) | Boise State | 188 | 13 | 3 | 4.65 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1-2 | Karlos Dansby |
| Rashaan Evans (6'2, 232 lbs) | Alabama | 150 | 23.5 | 0 | 4.73 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 1-2 | Lawrence Timmons |
| Malik Jefferson (6'2, 236 lbs) | Texas | 231 | 26 | 0 | 4.52 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 2 | Jordan Hicks |
| Micah Kiser (6'0, 238 lbs) | Virginia | 408 | 33.5 | 1 | 4.66 | 19 | 8 | 6 | 2-3 | Luke Kuechly |
| Jerome Baker (6'1, 229 lbs) | Ohio State | 159 | 17.5 | 2 | 4.53 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 2-3 | Darron Lee |
| Josey Jewell (6'1, 234 lbs) | Iowa | 433 | 28 | 6 | 4.82 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 3 | Sean Lee |
| Shaquem Griffin (6'0, 227 lbs) | Central Florida | 195 | 33.5 | 3 | 4.38 | 18.5 | 2 | 9 | 3 | Su'a Cravens |
| Fred Warner (6'3, 236 lbs) | Brigham Young | 262 | 32.5 | 7 | 4.64 | 6.5 | 3 | 10 | 3-4 | Alani Fua |
| Genard Avery (6'0, 248 lbs) | Memphis | 230 | 44.5 | 2 | 4.59 | 21.5 | 3 | 11 | 4 | Elandon Roberts |
| Azeem Victor (6'1, 240 lbs) | Washington | 198 | 14 | 1 | 4.72 | 3.5 | 3 | 12 | 5 | Vontaze Burfict |
| Darius Leonard (6'2, 234 lbs) | South Carolina State | 381 | 42 | 6 | 4.7 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 5 | Wesley Woodyard |
| Jack Cichy (6'2, 238 lbs) | Wisconsin | 121 | 15 | 0 | 4.79 | 6.5 | 2 | 14 | 5-6 | Nick Vigil |
| Tegray Scales (6'0, 230 lbs) | Indiana | 324 | 46 | 8 | 4.77 | 17 | 1 | 15 | 5-6 | Brandon Marshall |
| Nick Deluca (6'3, 251 lbs) | North Dakota State | 325 | 14.5 | 7 | 4.85 | 8.5 | 5 | 16 | 7-FA | N/A |
| Shaun Dion Hamilton (6'0, 229 lbs) | Alabama | 134 | 16 | 2 | 4.76 | 4.5 | 2 | 17 | 7-FA | Martrell Spaight |
| Travin Howard (6'0, 211 lbs) | TCU | 345 | 20.5 | 3 | 4.58 | 5.5 | 4 | 18 | FA | N/A |
Much like we did with the receivers, we’re going to look at linebackers in the top three rounds melding together our own scouting reports with deeper help from Lance Zierlein at NFL.com and Dane Brugler at NFLDraftScout.com
First Round
Roquan Smith, Georgia
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Elite athleticism, speed demon | Undersized |
| High football IQ and instincts | Needs to be faster to diagnose |
| Fluid and explosive in space | Improvement with hand work is needed |
| Sharp focus and discipline | Needs to avoid second level traffic |
| Rare stop-start motion can flip target with ease | Tendency to come in hot as a tackler |
| Great job at jumping crossing patterns |
Cowboys fit: He’s simply one of the most explosive athletes in this draft and will walk right in as a starter at any linebacker position you want him to play. Smith is a rookie of the year candidate as his abilities can not be overstated. He could become a catalyst for the Cowboys defense going forward. He might be out of reach for the Cowboys though, he’s expected to go around Top-10.
Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Imposing frame that he wears well | Step slow to diagnose |
| Excellent lateral quickness | Can be fooled by misdirection |
| His unique size and speed casts large playmaking net | Is too ahead of himself at times, losing leverage |
| Finisher as a tackler | Needs more upper body strength |
| Elite disruption in all phases | Patience is lacking, mental busts at times |
| Great pass rusher | |
| Effective in man coverage |
Cowboys fit: Edmunds is another plug-and-play starter that would fit nicely at the MIKE position. Edmunds has tremendous size and moves well for his big frame. Rod Marinelli would likely see the second coming of Brian Urlacher because that’s the type of instinctual effort Edmunds gives. He can make all the tackles and serve as the captain of the defense. Like Smith above, he might not make it down to pick #19.
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Elite athletic profile and length | Limited experience (1 year) |
| No delays in change of direction | Needs to improve play strength |
| Quick-twitch agility | Struggles to free himself from blocks |
| Great instincts in coverage with recovery ability | Hasn't mastered hand technique |
| Very quick but also very smooth as an athlete | Takes himself out of tackles by overpursuing |
| Show true talent as an edge rushing linebacker |
Cowboys fit: The Cowboys really like Vander Esch because they see him as an ascending player despite the lack of experience. Vander Esch does make a habit of showing up when he’s needed most. He’s also one of the most talented linebackers in terms of coverage which is coveted by every team in the league.
Rashaan Evans, Alabama
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Quick diagnosing abilities | Doesn't have the best instincts |
| Premium athlete with elite agility and explosion | Needs to improve his punch |
| Can work around the trash | Nagging groin injury needs evaluation |
| Very speedy to stick with scat backs | Needs to trust his athleticism a bit more |
| Very patient and doesn’t get fooled | Could stand to improve his leverage ability |
| Explosive wrap-up tackler | Benefitted from playing behind elite talent |
| Durable and will play through minor stuff |
Cowboys fit: He’s built in the mold of today’s NFL linebackers, just over six feet, with the speed to chase and tackle. He’s got thumping ability that reminds you of former Cowboy Rolando McClain without all the other mess. Evans would be a solid first-round selection for the Cowboys because he’s versatile but also an eraser. He doesn’t let many plays escape him and is a reliable tackler.
Second Round
Malik Jefferson, Texas
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Good length and musculature for NFL | Guesser that lacks instincts |
| Loose hips and explosive speed | Play speed not consistent with actual speed |
| Very rangy athlete that covers ground quickly | Can be passive at times |
| Has that second gear in pursuit | Needs to think less and just play |
| Tackles improved to over 100 with new coordinator | Undisciplined zone defender |
| Has burst and spring ability | Needs to improve aggressiveness |
| Very solid man coverage ability with strength to reroute |
Cowboys fit: Jefferson has some raw talent plus he flashes speed and explosion but it’s not consistent. Jefferson’s production is hard to deny but he needs a coordinator to place him an assignment and leave him there. If the Cowboys just want a run-and-hit linebacker with plus athleticism, Jefferson could grow into the complete package.
Micah Kiser, Virginia
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Production is staggering in three seasons | Pad level is concerning |
| Very quick reactionary skills, diagnoses with ease | Makes and misses tackles, needs to wrap up |
| Elite toughness who welcomes contact | Sluggish lateral quickness |
| Sturdy build with banger frame | Liability in man coverage |
| Never overpursues, makes immediate tackles | Not very rangy and struggles to match patterns |
| Brings it at every level of play on the field | |
| Good recognition on cutbacks |
Cowboys fit: Kiser is hard to decipher because some folks would rather call him a safety. He does have elite recognition which helps because he lacks the range in coverage. Kiser put up over 400 tackles and 19 sacks which is hard to ignore. He’s a very competitive linebacker that loves to hit people which is always a plus.
Jerome Baker, Ohio State
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Very fluid and fast athlete | Inconsistent motor |
| Loose hips and great footwork | Loses gap leverage and gets knocked around |
| Tremendous range | Instincts are below par |
| Has speed to close down running lanes | Needs to improve hand work |
| Easy change of direction and elusiveness | Looks small, plays small, lacks play strength |
| Can outrun his mistakes in diagnosing | Lingers instead of bringing the tackle |
| Elite athleticism to handle top NFL athletes |
Cowboys fit: Baker is an impressive athlete with a lot of range for the position. The Cowboys will not be a fan of his lack of fight and instincts. Baker is more a speedy athlete that could serve well on their special teams unit but it’s hard to envision them liking him as a potential starter. He’s got the speed to cover so many types of athletes but he looks very small. Baker will need a creative coordinator to find a role for him.
Third Round
Josey Jewell, Iowa
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Absolute film junkie, wins games on Wednesday | Lacks desired speed |
| Eyes work fast and he sees everything | Average athleticism |
| Steady flow downhill to make tackles | Can get lost behind defensive line at times |
| Instincts are off the charts with elite diagnosing abilities | Will need to slip more blocks |
| Tackles everything and everyone | Hip fluidity is a concern |
| Uses great technique and discipline | Struggles with early depth in dropping back |
| Reads quarterbacks and keeps pads square |
Cowboys fit: Jewell has all the instincts and awareness to be the Cowboys starting linebacker but the lack of pure athleticism could get him exposed. He’s a try-hard player that has made up for his athletic deficiencies with his great work ethic and diagnosing skills. Jewell will find a home in the NFL but will need a good defensive line to keep him from having to make every play.
Shaquem Griffin, Central Florida
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Amazing athlete | Plays a little too linear |
| Very good processor and executor of the game plan | Needs to improve knee bend |
| Solid upper body strength and power | Needs to improve lower body strength |
| Punisher as a tackler | Disengaging blocks is challenging |
| Possesses great instincts and versatility | Falls for cut blocks too much |
| Blazing 4.3 speed | Needs to correct target point for tackling |
| Very good burst that shows consistently |
Cowboys fit: For a guy without a left hand, he’s done his best to show folks he’s a true player. His speed is unmatched and as a coverage linebacker, that speed will be coveted. Griffin is extremely competitive, though he has his concerns. His athleticism and instincts combine for a really solid linebacker prospects. With the right team, Griffin could serve as a great defensive weapon.
Fred Warner, BYU
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Has hybrid appeal with slot abilities | Inconsistent angles leads to arm tackling |
| Great length and fluidity | Scheme allowed him to play off the line, scheme fit |
| Moves like a safety playing linebacker | Can thump but not consistently |
| Change of direction is effortless, solid athleticism | Needs to add play strength |
| Active tackler who takes the ball away | Motor clicks on and off |
| Very quick diagnosis with great instinctual effort | |
| Really good closing burst |
Cowboys fit: Warner is a prospect that is very fitting for the Cowboys as a player that can start but doesn’t need to right away. Warner’s athleticism and instincts are above average which will get him looks early. He can come in and compete at all three linebacker spots but his true fit will have to be determined. Warner is the typical off-ball linebacker that the Cowboys will rate highly.