Dallas Cowboys: Five bold predictions for 2017
By Tyrone Starr
BOLD PREDICTION #2
The Dallas Cowboys will finish the regular season with a top ten ranked defense.
With Smith, Sean Lee and Damien Wilson at linebacker, this could be the fastest and most talented group the Cowboys have had in decades.
Add to that a secondary featuring at least three new players in prominent roles as well as four new pass rushers, the defense will have a completely different look.
Even with a looming suspension of up and comer David Irving, the Cowboys defensive front has plenty of bodies to withstand a loss. The addition of guys like Taco Charlton, Charles Tapper and Damontre Moore will also allow Tyrone Crawford to play more inside.
In the secondary, this could be the year that Byron Jones makes a leap and becomes a upper echelon free safety. The drafting of two cornerbacks along with the addition of free agent Nolan Carroll have improved this unit from last year.
All in all, while you may not see gaudy numbers in sacks or interceptions individually, I believe this defense has the tools to be a top ten unit. I’m predicting that Dallas finishes in the top ten in both points and total yards allowed.