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Predicting the Dallas Cowboys final roster in early training camp

By Randy Gurzi

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 22: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to hand the ball to Ezekiel Elliott #21 during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 22: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to hand the ball to Ezekiel Elliott #21 during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys, Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Linebacker (6)

There’s very little change whatsoever to the Cowboys linebacker corps as their core group returns. The main change will be where their top two stars line up.

Leighton Vander Esch

Since joining Dallas a first-round pick in 2018, Leighton Vander Esch has been lined up as the weakside linebacker and has done a great job. However, he will be moving to the middle in Mike Nolan’s defense. This move gives LVE the duty of calling the defense but seems to be more about freeing up Jaylon Smith to be more versatile more than anything else.

Jaylon Smith

Moving to the weak side will be good for Jaylon Smith as it allows him to use his skills as a pass rusher more than he could while playing in the middle. Smith took a lot of heat last season as fans were frustrated with his play but this is still a wildly talented linebacker who should be an even bigger playmaker in 2020.

Sean Lee

Dallas could have lost Sean Lee in the offseason but he decided to return on a one-year deal. It might not seem like a big deal since they routinely use just two linebackers but Lee proved his worth last season when Vander Esch injured his neck.

He had 86 tackles, an interception, and a sack while also completely taking over late in one game against the Eagles. Some might discount him due to his age but Lee is coming off his first-ever 16-game season and is an invaluable leader.

Joe Thomas

Speaking of players who have a lot of value, Joe Thomas is a guy that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s a great special teams player and head coach Mike McCarthy understands what he can bring to the base defense. In 2016 with McCarthy’s Packers, Thomas started seven games while appearing all 16 and had 70 tackles and an interception. In Dallas, he has 47 tackles in two seasons but if he’s ever called upon, he can deliver.

Justin March

Over the past two seasons, Justin March has appeared in all 32 games for Dallas and has 16 tackles — mostly on special teams. That will be his calling card again in 2020 and without there being a preseason, it’s unlikely an undrafted rookie will knock the veteran off the roster.

Luke Gifford

An undrafted rookie in 2019 out of Nebraska, Luke Gifford had six tackles in six games for Dallas. He probably still won’t see the field much this season but he should be the final linebacker on the roaster.

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