The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys: Jack Cichy has Sean Lee traits and concerns

By Brad Austin

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Perry Hills #11 of the Maryland Terrapins is sacked by linebacker Jack Cichy #48 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half at Byrd Stadium on November 7, 2015 in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Perry Hills #11 of the Maryland Terrapins is sacked by linebacker Jack Cichy #48 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half at Byrd Stadium on November 7, 2015 in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys are hunting linebackers and Jack Cichy has Sean Lee type talent. Similar injury concerns will keep his draft price low.

One thing that’s abundantly clear about this draft, the Dallas Cowboys are locked in on bolstering their linebacker unit.

If judging players solely off on-field talent, Jack Cichy would be my third ranked linebacker in the draft behind Terrell Edmunds and Roquan Smith.

The hard reality is numerous factors can downgrade a player’s draft projection. As such, Cichy’s injury baggage will rightly push him out of the higher rounds.

It’s still a bold statement on talent alone, considering those other two players are likely top 15 overall picks and Cichy is projected to the middle to late rounds.

Cichy is a missile type linebacker with relentless tackling skills like Sean Lee. He’s also correctly projected well below his talent level due to injury history, as Lee was.

STAR TALENT WITH INJURY HISTORY

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Lee’s stellar college production was easily first round material. However injury issues sealed a lesser fate as the 55th overall pick. His last two seasons at Penn State included a torn ACL in his right knee and partially torn ACL in his left knee.

In far fewer games, Cichy never had the gaudy stats like Lee. A torn pec ended his Junior season after 7 games. Tearing his ACL wiped out all of his Senior campaign.

Playing only seven games in 2016, Cichy posted 60 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. If healthy the final seven games, his pace was headed for elite numbers.

Cichy claims he’s ninety percent healed seven months after surgery. In March, rehab prevented his testing at the combine beyond the 225 pound bench (18 reps).

However at Wisconsin’s Pro Day he added on agility drills. His pro agility (4.19 seconds) and 3-cone (6.88 seconds) results would have ranked fourth and fifth among linebackers at the combine.

BIG REWARD EXCEEDS LOWER RISK

With nearly four months until training camp, Cichy should be ready to roll for whichever team takes a chance. Risking a middle to late round selection on the possible reward of a dynamic, relentless, versatile linebacker is an easy call.

Cichy is a perfect fit for Lee’s weakside linebacker spot. He’s also versatile enough to play other spots, excel in nickel coverage, and thrive as a special teams demon.

Losing a season to a pectoral (chest) muscle tear is little concern for his future. Cowboys tight end Geoff Swaim had the same surgery in 2016. Even the ACL tear was clean with no meniscus damage which helps lessen the severity.

Next: 5 essential thoughts before the 2018 NFL Draft

If Cichy makes it to the fifth round, the Cowboys would be foolish not to take a shot. He’ll be a surefire NFL starter if healthy, which is not unreasonable to assume.

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