Dallas Cowboys’ Anthony Hitchens: More than just an insurance policy?

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, can linebacker Anthony Hitchens prove he is much more than just an insurance policy for Jaylon Smith.

When you hear talk about the Dallas Cowboys linebacker corps this offseason, it’s likely about one player. That linebacker being 2016 second round selection Jaylon Smith. And for good reason.

Smith represents one of the biggest gambles in franchise history. After suffering a devastating knee injury that some believe could end his professional football career before it even got started, the former Notre Dame star tumble down and even off some draft boards heading into the 2016 NFL Draft,

A once touted top five-level pick dropped completely out of the first round and landed unexpectedly in Dallas with the 34th overall selection. Having sat out all of last season to recover from his knee injury, Smith’s health status has been shrouded in both mystery and optimism ever since.

With so much intrigue and investment made into one player, it’s no wonder Smith is the talk of the offseason. But the fact is, the young linebacker hasn’t played a single snap of football in over a year. And he has never stepped foot on the field as a professional. So expecting the 21-year Smith to start at middle linebacker in less than four months is sketchy.

But the Cowboys don’t seem worried. And that’s likely due to the depth they have at the position. Beyond Smith on the linebacker corps, Dallas also has two-time Pro Bowler Sean Lee, who is once again expected to start at the weakside position.

The starters at both the middle and strongside slots is to be determined. But the candidates are clear. They are veteran linebackers Damien Wilson, Mark Nzeocha and Kyle Wilber. The list of young prospects, many of which are undrafted rookies, include names like Joseph Jones, Kennan Gilchrist, John Lotulelei and Lucas Wacha.

But the one name flying under the radar in Dallas is fourth-year linebacker Anthony Hitchens. The 24-year old Hitchens was a fourth round selection by the Cowboys back in 2014 out of Iowa.

Undersized at the position (6’0, 235 pounds) CBS Sports draft expert and co-host of the Draft Show on DallasCowboys.com Dane Brugler considered Hitchen’s selection by the Cowboys a bit of an overreach as he had him projected as a sixth rounder.

But Hitchens impressed his rookie season, posting 75 total tackles, four pass defends and an interception. As a rookie, he started in 11 games for the Cowboys.

In fact, Hitchens has never missed a single regular season contest in Dallas in three years. Last season, he started in all 16 games for the Cowboys recording 78 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and one pass defend. Outside of Lee, Hitchens is arguably Dallas’ most consistent defender.

But the knock on Hitchens is his overall lack of improvement. He simply hasn’t taken that next step in his development. Although his is a solid run defender, Hitchens has always been a liability in pass coverage, which limits just how much the Cowboys coaching staff can scheme with him in the lineup.

Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Cowboys must decide if they will continue to invest in Hitchens or simply move on. The progress of Smith will certainly inform that decision. But so will the play of the three-year veteran. And according to one Cowboys insider, it appears Hitchens is poised to take that next step.

"“I will say that I like [Hitchen’s] chances to have a better upcoming season after gaining more experience as a starter last season,” responded former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus while answering a mailbag question on the Cowboys official website recently. “I promise that this time last season he was getting ready for more of a role as a nickel linebacker than he was as a starter. This year that’s not the case – he’s preparing to start and that will help his overall play.”"

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With Jaylon Smith’s health status and availability in question this season, Anthony Hitchens is likely the favorite to start at middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys come September. It will be the 24-year old’s opportunity to prove he is much more than Smith’s insurance policy in Dallas.