The Cowboys are yet again in desperate need of a linebacker. While the Cowboys did attempt to fortify their linebacking core by bringing in veteran backer Anthony Barr they have still struggled the stop the run all season. The Cowboys are currently 24th against the run, having allowed 1863 yards on the ground for the season and are also allowing 4.6 yards per carry. Their inability to stop the run was further exasperated once starting middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was injured. Vander Esch suffered a shoulder “stinger” during Dallas’ matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars and his presence was missed almost immediately. Jacksonville rushed for 192 yards on 27 carries while averaging 7.1 yards an attempt. This disastrous performance was one of the leading factors that ultimately led to Dallas losing this game. With LVE expected to miss time and his health being a concern even before the season the Cowboys will need to bring in reinforcements to try and stop the bleeding.
- Danny Trevathan
Danny Trevathan is a great player who is constantly injured. In his career Trevathan has missed 40 games due to injury and missed 12 games last season after being put on injured reserve. While he is older and does have questionable injury history Trevathan is a tackling machine when healthy. During his last healthy season in 2020 Trevathan tallied up 113 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a sack. Trevathan also has 8 career starts in the playoffs and was part of the Broncos Super Bowl winning team in 2015. He would be a worthy candidate to give Dallas much needed experience and depth at the position.
- Dont’a Hightower
The lifelong Patriot still has some thread left on the tires. While not the coverage player that Anthony Barr is he is still one of the premiere linebackers in run support and play recognition. In 15 games last season he posted 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Hightower also provides championship pedigree, having started on three Super Bowl winning defenses. He rarely misses prolonged periods of time due to injury and he has one of the higher football IQs amongst linebackers.
- Anthony Hitchens
The former Cowboy would be a perfect fit back in the Blue and Silver. Hitchens is a consistent presence in the middle of the defense, coming off a season where he racked up 80 tackles, an interception, and two passes defended. While he is several seasons removed from his 135 tackles break out performance, he is still a good linebacker who excels in run support and gap fit.
The Cowboys have already ensured themselves a spot in the playoffs and they now much make the necessary moves to ensure they are not one and done for the second consecutive year. Adding a veteran linebacker with the ability to give them depth and an extra run defender will be vital to their chances of advancing in the playoffs. In all of the Cowboys’ loses opponents have been able to exploit their inability to stop the run and the same trend will continue in the playoffs if the Cowboys don’t make the necessary moves to improve their biggest deficiency.