Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys Camp Battle: Linebackers

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:01 a.m. ET

Fansided, Randy Gurzi/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

With second-year linebacker Jaylon Smith on the field now, how will the linebacker positions shake out for the Dallas Cowboys in 2017?

Last season the Dallas Cowboys were better on defense than expected. When the post season came around they were unable to stop Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but overall they were above average — especially in the middle of the defense.

The biggest reason was Sean Lee. The veteran linebacker had a career high 145 tackles and made his second-consecutive Pro Bowl.

After struggling through injuries for most of his career, it's been a pleasant surprise to see Lee spend two straight years leading the Dallas defense. Again heading into 2017, there's a lot of talk about how this defense will fare, and most seem to think it could be a long season again.

One thing that could help is if they get the most out of the talent they have in Lee and the players around him. Currently there's no guarantee who will start in the remaining two positions, but surely following training camp we all will have a better idea. Here we take an in-depth look at who could possibly start with Lee at the strong side and middle linebacker spots.

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens (59) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Swiss Army Knife: Anthony Hitchens

Like many of the Dallas Cowboys picks in 2013 and 2014 there were a lot of questions about the decision to take linebacker Anthony Hitchens in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Skeptics said Hitchens was undersized and didn't have a prominent role in any defense.

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Dallas executives saw a guy that could play all three positions and as a rookie they had to call on him right away. Hitchens went from depth piece to starter after Sean Lee tore his ACL and didn't disappoint. He started 11 games as a rookie and was credited with 75 tackles, four pass defenses and an interception.

Since that season, he keeps finding himself on the field. After spending time in 2014 and 2015 rotating between outside and middle linebacker, Hitchens moved to the middle for the most part in 2016 when Rolando McClain was lost due to substance abuse issues.

With 16 starts, Hitch had 78 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Heading into 2017 he's the favorite to start in the middle yet again, but even if he doesn't start there he should be the strong side starter. One way or another, Hitchens will once again be on the field a lot for the Cowboys this season.

Jun 13, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) during minicamp at The Star at Cowboys World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Unknown Commodity: Jaylon Smith

If Hitchens can't win the middle linebacker spot, that would be a good thing. The person who will be fighting for that role is 2016 second-round pick Jaylon Smith. After a standout career for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Smith suffered a torn ACL in his final game. Surgery repaired the ligaments, but there was some problems as Smith has since struggled with nerve problems.

After a year off, Smith finally is on the field practicing for the Boys. He has to wear a knee brace due to problems with drop foot, which could limit his effectiveness. Despite that, the reports are that Smith is running fast as ever and has even made some nice plays during the mini camps.

Smith could end up being just a two-down player at first as he recovers. His change of pace speed isn't where it used to be, but his smarts are still good enough that he could be a weapon on running downs.

Of course, there's still that small chance that Smith can find a way to play well with the brace on as he waits for the nerves to start firing fully. If so, the Cowboys would feel extremely justified in using their second round pick in 2016 on him.

So much is up in the air with Smith, but him being on the field at all has been a huge plus for this team.

Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) reacts after a missed Detroit Lions field goal during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Raw Talent: Damien Wilson

If anyone can make a big push this season it would be third-year veteran Damien Wilson. After the success of spending a fourth-round pick on Hitchens, Dallas was hoping to strike gold again in the 2015 fourth-round. They selected the Minnesota standout, but unlike Hitchens he wasn't relied upon much as a rookie. He played in all 16 games, but recorded just 15 tackles mostly as a special teams player.

In 2016 he was on the field a lot more, and even had six starts. Wilson was able to flash at times and had 34 tackles — with 27 of them being solo take downs. The most impressive thing about the 6-1, 243-pound Wilson was his speed.

Even if it looked as though he was out of a play, he really wasn't. The recovery speed he showed was excellent, and if he can learn to trust his instincts more — while also playing with more discipline — there's no reason to think Wilson won't become a really good all-around linebacker for the Cowboys.

He will have an uphill climb going against Hitchens and Smith, but if the injury to Smith continues to limit him, they could do much worse than Wilson as a backup plan.

The Dark Horse: John Lotulelei

There's always one guy who comes out and surprises teams during camps. For the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, that player could wind up being linebacker John Lotulelei, who they signed to a future's contract back in January. The 25-year old linebacker had previously played for the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders after going undrafted out of UNLV.

He spent all of 2016 out of the league, which makes him being a starter seem crazy. Heck, even making the roster would be hard for a young man who has just 18 games played and spent a whole season out of the league. Despite that, former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus of DallasCowboys.com believes he will make the team, and is high on what he brings to the table.

I like what I have seen so far from Lotulelei and his movement skills. He might be a little short, but he's always around the ball and that will show up when we start these preseason games.

If the name sounds familiar, Lotulelei is the cousin of Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. While he doesn't have the same football-prowess as his famous cousin, he could very well be a factor in the Dallas Cowboys 2017 defensive plans.