Dallas Cowboys: It’s a make or break year for DeMarcus Lawrence

After a breakout 14.5 sack season in 2017, what is in store for Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in another contract year in 2018?

Coming into the 2017 season, it is safe to say most Dallas Cowboys fans had classified DeMarcus Lawrence as a disappointment.

After the Cowboys moved up to draft Lawrence with the 34th pick in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Lawrence struggled with health and availability issues to stay on the field.

In his rookie season, Lawrence broke his foot at training camp, causing him to start the season on injured reserve, and only appear in seven games that year.

In 2015, the Cowboys defensive end was able to stay relatively healthy and appear in 13 games and had a very solid season. He recorded 35 total tackles, and eight sacks that led the team.

Expectations were high for Lawrence in his third season in 2016, and the year could not have gone more poorly for the Boise State alum.

In April of 2016 he was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy. Once Lawrence returned, he just could not stay healthy.

Battling back and shoulder issues all season long, he only appeared in nine games, starting just three, and recorded just one single sack.

Although Lawrence had gone through a very up and down first three years in the league, the Cowboys staff remained high on him, and their confidence payed off in 2017.

Lawrence posted by far his best season of his career last year, starting all 16 games, recording 35 total tackles, and 14.5 sacks, good for 2nd most in the entire NFL.

He became the first Dallas Cowboy to post double digit sacks in a season since Jason Hatcher in 2013.

The Cowboys defensive end was rewarded for his outstanding season with a trip to his first Pro Bowl, and was named a 2nd Team All-Pro.

After his outstanding season, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence, and will pay him $17.143 million in 2018 unless they can reach a contract extension.

All indications seem that Lawrence is willing, and will play on the franchise tag next season, so that raises the big question, will he be able to replicate his success next season?

When he has been healthy in his career, he has been a very productive player. But if the Cowboys are going to commit long term and sign him to a big money multiyear contact, they will need to be convinced that his body can hold up and he can play an entire season.

Coming into 2017, Lawrence had missed 16 games in his career due to injury or suspension, the equivalent to an entire season.

For the Cowboys and DeMarcus Lawrence, availability may be the only thing keeping the two from agreeing on a long term deal.

If Lawrence can come out and stay on the field and post the production he is clearly capable of when healthy, there is no reason he and the Cowboys should not be able to lock up a long term extension next offseason.

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But, if Lawrence struggles to get out there, the Cowboys will face a much more difficult decision, deicing on the future of their best pass rusher they have had since DeMarcus Ware. 2018 will be a huge season for a lot of Cowboys, and DeMarcus Lawrence is right near the top of that list.