With The First Pick
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Dallas Cowboys set for big Turnaround

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with guard Zack Martin (70), tackle Doug Free (68) and tight end Jason Witten (82) after kicking a 54-yard field goal for the winning points with nine seconds left against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game at FedEx Field. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with guard Zack Martin (70), tackle Doug Free (68) and tight end Jason Witten (82) after kicking a 54-yard field goal for the winning points with nine seconds left against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game at FedEx Field. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Not that the Cowboys defense was great in 2014 but Rolando McClain did become the star of it then. He played very well in the place of Sean Lee then got into some trouble last year with Lee back. I’m thinking McClain keeps his head on straight and plays with Lee for all of 2016.

That along with 2nd-round pick Jaylon Smith eventually coming along will improve that front-7. I never bought the idea of Smith taking a red-shirt year as a rookie. The timetable for his nerve regenerating is 9-15 months, which at the earliest, has him ready to go in October.

It could or could not be that soon but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones knows something the rest of the league doesn’t. That’s why he’s not even going to bother to put him on IR for the season. As of last month, he was squatting over 500 pounds and leg pressing over 700 so his strength is back.

The Cowboys made a murder case work for them to get La’el Collins as an undrafted free agent in 2015. So I’m convinced the team doctor, Smith’s surgeon, manipulated this situation. I firmly believe he’ll be back at some point this year with McClain and Lee to improve the defense.

Next: D-Line

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