Dallas Cowboys: Ranking biggest team needs in 2019 NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi | Apr 6, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Geoff Swaim #87 of the Dallas Cowboys prepares to take the field with teammates before the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 14: Damien Wilson #57 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. Linebacker

Another position that seems fine on paper but could use some attention is linebacker. At first glance, the group seems tough for the Cowboys — and it really is. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are both young stars who made up one of the most impressive one-two punches in the entire NFL at the position.

For Smith, it was the first time he looked like himself after spending his rookie season recovering from a knee injury and 2017 getting his feet wet. He finished the season with 121 tackles and was constantly around the ball. He still finished behind LVE as the rookie tallied 140 tackles on the season.

Dallas also retained Sean Lee on a reduced contract and he could spell the two aforementioned players. While Lee is aging, the fact is he still has plenty to offer when he is healthy. The problem is, Lee doesn’t play the SAM linebacker position. Instead, that role was handled by Damien Wilson this past season but he headed to Kansas City this offseason.

Granted, it is a passing league so the third linebacker isn’t as desperate a need as it once was. With Dallas spending much of the time in their nickel defense, Wilson technically only started seven games last year. Still, Dallas would be wise to find someone who can come in and compete for a shot to play in the spot vacated by Wilson.

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