Dallas Cowboys: Top 3 Potential Breakout Players (Defense)

Oct 13, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) jumps on the back of Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu Jr. at AT&T Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

LB Sean Lee

Instead of this being a “breakout” season for Sean Lee, it is more of a comeback year for the oft-injured linebacker, after missing the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL.

Lee is a much-needed player for the Cowboys this season, as having the 6-2, 238 pound linebacker on the field will be a welcome addition to a defense that has had its problems of making the big plays or keeping drives at a minimum.

In his last season (2013), Lee totaled 99 tackles and four interceptions in 11 games. Lee has never played a full 16-game season. From 2012-14, Lee has played in just 17 games, missing 31 contests the past three seasons. For his career, Lee has totaled 294 combined tackles (202 solo) and has picked off 11 passes.

Lee is also switching his linebacker spot to where he’ll most likely not have as much contact as before.

Babe Laufenberg of DallasNews.com wrote this about how Lee won’t be the same player, but will still be a very good player for the Cowboys in ’15:

"“He (Lee) can still be an outstanding player. He is so football smart and so instinctive, that he plays a lot faster than he really is…my fingers are crossed for him. He has had a tough run of luck (I do not believe in the term “injury prone”).”"

I can’t wait to watch Lee this season, and if he cuts down some of his minutes on the field and has less contact, maybe this season can be the first time in his NFL career he’ll play an entire season.

Next: A Second-Year Defender Will Dominate