Two years ago, the Dallas Cowboys appeared set at the linebacker position. With high picks spent on Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith playing with veteran Sean Lee, it was one of the strongest position groups on the team. However, this group quickly fell apart. Lee would retire in 2020 and Smith was released in 2021. As for Vander Esch, his contract is expiring after Dallas chose not to pick up his fifth-year option.
Of course, the Cowboys did select superstar linebacker Micah Parsons in the 2021 NFL Draft. While he is an incredible player, he will need some help. Currently, second-year-pro Jabril Cox would be next in line to contribute.
With the salary cap situation as dire as it is for Dallas, they will not be able to pay top dollar at the position. Due to this, former Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks could be a good fit.
Jordan Hicks = Consistent production
A former third-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, Hicks spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. In that time frame, Hicks has started every game while posting over 116 tackles in every season. He also has eleven career interceptions.
Coming to Dallas would be a homecoming of sorts for Hicks as well as he played his college ball at the University of Texas.
On the Cowboys, Hicks would immediately step in and become a reliable starter on their defense. Simply having a player who is available as often as Hicks is would be a breath of fresh air after watching Vander Esch deal with injuries for much of 2019 and 2020. Allowing Hicks to play MLB in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's scheme could help him become an even better player as well.
Of course, the first call the Cowboys are likely to make is to former Seahawk Bobby Wagner. His relationship with Quinn and pedigree as one of the NFL's best make him an obvious fit. However, things do not always go as planned.
If Wagner is not able to be acquired, Hicks would be a great consolation prize.