There's no secret that the Cowboys have questions to answer in their linebacker corps, and the main way to address those questions would be through the NFL Draft. This year's linebacker class is rather solid, and features some serious day two options.
The 2018 NFL Combine did a good job of separating some of these linebackers, and the results of these three players make them impressive candidates for the Dallas Cowboys.
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State LB
Vander Esch is a linebacker I struggled with on tape, but his combine performance was undeniable. Vander Esch came in at 6'4 256 pounds, ran an impressive 6.88 3 cone time (85th percentile), and had a 39.5" vertical jump (93rd percentile).
According to MockDraftable, Vander Esch is most similar to a linebacker the Cowboys reportedly considered in the past: Anthony Barr. He also tested like an EDGE rusher, comparing athletically to Tyus Bowser, Khalil Mack, and Connor Barwin.
Leighton Vander Esch would be an outside linebacker with the Cowboys, and could be a target in the second round. You have to wonder, however, if Vander Esch tested himself out of the Cowboys' second round range.
Josey Jewell, Iowa LB
With each NFL Draft cycle, scouts everywhere can typically feel good about their evaluations of Iowa Hawkeyes players. The BIG 10 school is known for producing solid, pro-ready talent that NFL teams absolutely need to fill out a roster. Enter Iowa Linebacker Josey Jewell, a three-year starter and captain on this Hawkeyes defense.
Going into the 2018 NFL Combine, I had questions about Josey Jewell athletically. While I knew he was a solid linebacker on tape, and someone who could play inside early on in his career, his combine performance was going to be important to projecting his NFL future.
Jewell was relatively unimpressive at the combine, but he did perform well in drills the Cowboys tend to value in their linebackers. According to MockDraftable Jewell's 3 cone time was in the 93rd percentile among all linebackers and his 60 yard shuttle was in the 79th percentile. Jewell's 20 yard shuttle was also impressive among Cowboys' standards.
Josey Jewell is considered to be the prototypical Big 10 linebacker, who should be a solid and "safe" pick during the upcoming NFL Draft. His performance at the combine does make him an interesting target for the Dallas Cowboys specifically, however.
Fred Warner, BYU LB
Believe it or not, BYU linebacker Fred Warner was the best player at his position at the 2018 Senior Bowl. During his time at BYU, Fred Warner recorded 264 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions. He played in 49 games for the Cougars during his four collegiate seasons, and was a star on BYU's defense ...
My personal favorite of these three linebackers, BYU's Fred Warner has seen his stock rise over the last few months. Warner was misused a bit at BYU, playing an EDGE role much of the time. He moved to off-ball linebacker full time for the Senior Bowl, and made his presence felt immediately.
At 6'3" 236 pounds, Warner is a "long and strong" linebacker who could be a starting WILL very early on in his career. Warner's 3 cone was in the 89th percentile of all linebackers, and while his short shuttle wasn't all that impressive, his performance in the agility drills certainly turned heads.
Warner is going to benefit greatly from being used in his best role to succeed in the NFL, and could be a realistic option for the Cowboys 81st overall.
Reynaldito LaPorte
March 7, 2018 at 9:24 am
I like Jewell the most but how good can we expect him to be in his rookie season at an in impact position not to mention he’s a lil undersized.
We really need to start thinking about Lee’s replacement though as he has never played a full season and as good as he is the best ability is availability. If we can I say we get Davis from the Jet’s and draft an off ball LB. we’ll see tho.
Great read BTW!!!
Reynaldo Laporte
March 7, 2018 at 9:34 am
I like Jewell the most but how good can we expect him to be in his rookie season at an in impact position not to mention he’s a lil undersized.
We really need to start thinking about Lee’s replacement though as he has never played a full season and as good as he is the best ability is availability. If we can I say we get Davis from the Jet’s and draft an off ball LB. we’ll see tho.
Great read BTW!!!
reynaldolaporte
March 7, 2018 at 9:34 am
I like Jewell the most but how good can we expect him to be in his rookie season at an in impact position not to mention he’s a lil undersized.
We really need to start thinking about Lee’s replacement though as he has never played a full season and as good as he is the best ability is availability. If we can I say we get Davis from the Jet’s and draft an off ball LB. we’ll see tho.
Great read BTW!!!
Hector Espindola
March 7, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Great insight. Personally, my choise was Vander Esch before reading your analysis. I think LB would be addressed after DL, OL and WR, so that gives a chance at picks 16 and 37 of round 4, meaning that no one of the LB analized would be an every down player; that´s why Hitch needs to stay with the team.
Reynaldo Laporte
March 7, 2018 at 7:56 pm
As much as I like Hitch he’s not coming back and to be honest I would like an upgrade at the position. Davis would be that upgrade. We’ll see tho
Hector Espindola
March 8, 2018 at 5:42 pm
I´m all aboard with an upgrade at the position!
Reynaldo Laporte
March 9, 2018 at 6:17 am
Think about how good our D would be with a serious 1 tech and Demario Davis playing MLB.
We have our core guys from last year thst are still developing I’m excited to see where we can take it.
Hector Espindola
March 10, 2018 at 11:21 am
You are totally right, Vita Vea must be that man (he is also an every down player), but might be gone when Dallas hits the clock. Moreover, I don’t see FO and Marinelli viewing any other 1 tech as an every down player to use on their two first pics. Seems then that FO would go for LG and till day 3 find their rotation guys (I hate that philosophy).
Reynaldo Laporte
March 10, 2018 at 11:33 am
Don’t get me wrong I like BPA according to our needs, but when will we address a glaring issue that’s plagued us for years and that’s DT.
I want to draft a LG too but if we need a premier pick all across our offensive line, then that says a lot about our coaching staff and FO.
Hector Espindola
March 10, 2018 at 11:53 am
That last statement of yours on coaching brilliantly sumps it up. I think Da’Ron Payne is the next answer to DT issuesi if VV is gone. Hope FO shares this point of view.
Reynaldo Laporte
March 10, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Payne is Good too and plays both positions, but what does Reynaldito know ‘eh lol.
They need to do right by our team and invest in defense. As good as our offense was the last two times we were in the playoffs our defense was exposed. Now is the time to address that.
EverybodyTalks
March 10, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Agreed. Our Defense was exposed. If Philly can sign Bennett and be 11 million over the cap, then the Cowboys still need to resign Hitchens. Anthony is much more valuable than any rookie in the draft or FA. I think Jewell will fall to the 3rd rd, based on his numbers in the combine. To be safe, I believe we should grab him in the 2nd. Stephen Jones stated that the Cowboys would not go after a DT1, unless that player had DT3 tendencies. That sounds like DaRon and Vita and therefore both have a shot in the 1st rd, if available at #19. So, imagine we have Hitch, with newbies DaRon and Jewell. Very possible.
Reynaldo Laporte
March 10, 2018 at 1:03 pm
I love Hitchens, but I feel as though we can upgrade the position. Not to mention his coach is in Indy know who just so happen to have way more cap room than we do.
I dream of the day when our D will again be respectable. People get lost in the glamor and glitz of our last two season starts and don’t realize that the defense was only good in 2016 because of our ball control and and last year we had a semi good pass rush.
Our defense is still middle of the pack and I hate the fact that our DC seems to want run of the mill guys when he always had studs on his squad
Hector Espindola
March 10, 2018 at 11:29 am
You are totally right, Vita Vea must be that man (he is also an every down player), but might be gone when Dallas hits the clock. Moreover, I don’t see FO and Marinelli viewing any other 1 tech as an every down player to use on their two first pics. Seems then that FO would go for LG and till day 3 find their rotation guys for DL (I hate that philosophy).