One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

Two years ago, the Dallas Cowboys were the class of the NFC, taking the best record into the playoffs. However, like they usually do, the Cowboys were bounced out of the playoffs in the Divisional Round, and the 2017 season saw them finish outside of the playoffs thanks to the fact they did not have star running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games.

One big step forward made by the Cowboys in 2017 was the play of their secondary, which was basically a brand new unit from the year before. Having good players back there really took some of the pressure off of the team up front, enabling the defense to finish in the top-15 in points allowed.

The key cog for this defense for years has been linebacker Sean Lee, who has been a tackling machine since the team selected him out of Penn State in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He has had to battle injuries throughout his career, but his play has helped elevate this defense without a lot of talent around him.

During the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cowboys brought in some more linebacker talent, selecting Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State. Vander Esch got a late start to his football career, but he was an absolute beast at Boise State, and should come in and be an impact player in year one in the NFL.

With Vander Esch, Lee, and Jaylon Smith at the three linebacker positions, the Cowboys have solid players across the board. Vander Esch is the kind of guy who just makes plays on defense, and if he is as good as advertised, this defense has a chance to be really good.