Dallas Cowboys: 4 potential breakout candidates for 2018
With the offseason well underway, here are four candidates for the Dallas Cowboys that we believe have the potential to record a breakout season in 2018.
This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys are focused on ways to improve their team via re-signing their own players, scouring free agency for sleepers and preparing for the upcoming NFL draft.
On the flip side, the Cowboy players themselves are trying to improve as well. They’ll use this time of the offseason to train and prepare for the grueling work ahead. Here are four players who we believe could be potential breakout candidates for 2018.
Jourdan Lewis, cornerback
The Cowboys third round pick last year made his debut and Week Two and simply never left the secondary. Lewis’ consistent play surprised many for a rookie, especially when playing outside on an island. Most projected the 5-foot-10, 195 pound corner to play the slot. Instead Lewis excelled early with initial Rookie of the Year talk fading as his first season progressed. Still, Lewis clearly has a bright future ahead of him in Dallas.
Jeff Heath, safety
It seems strange to add Jeff Heath to this list. Not only is the former special teams ace entering his sixth season with the Cowboys, but he also played poorly to start off last season. But the 26-year old ended 2017 strong, recording three interceptions in his last five games and flashing the playmaking ability that got him the starting role in the first place. The hope is Heath can build on his progression and excel in 2018 as a starter.
Ryan Switzer, wide receiver/returner
The rookie fourth rounder made his bones last year on special teams, emerging as one of the league’s most exciting returners. But Switzer was all but ignored when it come to the offense in 2017. Seen as a Cole Beasley-clone, the rookie receiver saw a total of only 92 offensive snaps last year. Switzer should certainly get more opportunities as a gadget player in this offense in 2018, filling a role vacated by Lucky Whitehead early last year.
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Noah Brown, wide receiver
This seventh round rookie saw a lot of action last season, playing more than 15% of the offensive snaps in Dallas. That’s a ton for someone considered to be the last man on the depth chart. But Brown’s ability to run block was his best attribute and it kept him on the field. At Ohio State, Brown showed the ability to be one heck of a playmaking wide receiver. If Dallas can tap into that more in 2018, Noah Brown should get plenty of opportunities to shine. Especially if he can fill the void left by current free agent Brice Butler.