Dallas Cowboys upgrading army with sights on NFL crown

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen (97) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead (13) for a fumble in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen (97) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead (13) for a fumble in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

NEW MONSTER IN THE MIDDLE

No one is certain how healthy injured rookie Jaylon Smith will be come September.

To date the rehabilitation news has mostly been encouraging as he appears cleared to begin practice in May OTA’s.

Cowboys fans know all too well how far the drop has been since Rolando McClain was forcefully patrolling the middle of the defense.

While fill-in’s like Anthony Hitchens have been decent, it’s night and day without an enforcer at the position.

Smith was set to be a top 5 overall pick before suffering his gruesome knee injury in his last college game.

He has the mental and physical capacity to lead an entire defense from the middle.

If Smith returns to his former self by next season, his advanced level of blitzing, run stopping, and pass coverage will truly shock people.

A healthy Smith paired with All-Pro Sean Lee will be a ferocious duo to account for.