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Dallas Cowboys: Way too early 53-man roster prediction

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys kneels in the end zone before the game against the Seattle Seahawks during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys kneels in the end zone before the game against the Seattle Seahawks during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Dallas Cowboys middle linebackers Jaylon Smith (54) and Leighton Vander Esch (55) pursue Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the NFC wildcard playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Dallas Cowboys middle linebackers Jaylon Smith (54) and Leighton Vander Esch (55) pursue Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the NFC wildcard playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Linebacker (6)

Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Justin March-Lillard, Chris Covington

Last season, Dallas boasted what was arguably the best linebacker duo in the NFL in Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. For Smith, he was in his second full season after a knee injury and subsequent nerve damage cost him his rookie campaign. He was still feeling things out in 2017 but blossomed into a star this past season.

Vander Esch was their first round pick and he proved to be a stud. He led the team in tackles despite not starting every game as they were going with Sean Lee to start the season. Lee has battled health problems and was surpassed by LVE, but returned on a reduced contract. He won’t start unless he learns the SAM position, but can still be a valuable member of the team.

As for the third starting spot, Justin March-Lillard has the inside track there. Joe Thomas is a bit of a do-it-all linebacker who shines on special teams but can fill in for each spot in a pinch. No draft picks were added, which means the coaches are likely high on Chris Covington, the Illinois product who enters his second season in the league.

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