2. Jaylon Smith will be the top linebacker
A lot of Cowboys fans thought Jaylon Smith was set to be minimized when the team spent a first round pick on Leighton Vander Esch in April. The reality is that Smith is playing better than he ever has as a pro. He now appears to be fully recovered from his career-threatening foot injury.
In fact, Smith has ditched the brace he felt hampered his mobility last season. That’s a clear and obvious sign that he’s feeling 100 percent. That could be bad news for offenses looking to move the ball against the Cowboys.
To be Dallas’ best linebacker Smith will have to overtake Sean Lee. That’s a significant challenge, but it’s what Smith can handle. He might also be aided by Lee’s struggles to stay on the field. Even if both men stay healthy, Smith should be in a position to make a ton of tackles in the middle of the field.
The prediction here will require Smith to step up into the upper-echelon of NFL middle linebackers. That’s a tall order, but Smith has the size and speed to make it happen. Count on him looking like a very different player in the Cowboys defensive backfield this season. If he’s fully recovered from his foot injury then Smith may transform into a Pro Bowler in 2018.