The Dallas Cowboys still aren't as aggressive as they should be, but the uptick in urgency this offseason has been a breath of fresh air.
Between trading for George Pickens, reuniting with Dante Fowler, and adding a plethora of former first-round picks, Jerry Jones and Co. have done a commendable job rounding out the roster. The process is still flawed and risky, but it's an improvement.
The Pickens trade is all the rage for obvious reasons, but one move in particular looks like a home run and nobody is talking about it: the signing of linebacker Jack Sanborn.
Cowboys' signing of LB Jack Sanborn already looks like a win
Say what you will about OTAs, but Sanborn has wasted no time impressing head coach Brian Schottenheimer since the Cowboys returned to the practice field.
"Work ethic jumps off the tape ... but Jack has been incredible.," Schottenheimer said. "The command, I would also say him leaning into a couple of the younger backers ... that doesn't have to happen, but he's happy to help which is great ... Jack's a very selfless player that we're excited to have."
Sanborn came over from Chicago, so he has the advantage of understanding defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' system.
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The fourth-year pro has seen a healthy amount of reps with the first-team defense as a result. The pre-established trust is evident, but Schottenheimer has stated repeatedly that he is not just going to hand out starting jobs. Players will have to earn their stripes.
Sanborn is not the best athlete, but he makes up for it with a high IQ and natural instincts to be effective against the run. He earned run-defense grades of 70.5 and 71.1, respectively, the last two seasons, per PFF, and has only missed 20 tackles in 977 career snaps.
There is a reason Bears fans were crushed when Sanborn signed with Dallas. While struggled to find playing time in a crowded linebacker room, he showed quality whenever he was on the field. He can be a good starting linebacker in the league.
The fact he is only 24 years old and taking it upon himself to mentor the young linebackers on the roster is more proof the Cowboys got a gem. Look for Sanborn to become an instant fan favorite once the regular season rolls around.