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Cowboys Free Agency: Is LB Anthony Hitchens A Priority?

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The frustrating reality when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys’ approach in roster building is — at certain positions — they seem set on bargain-hunting for quick fixes and players with untapped potential to do the job. For years now, linebacker has been one of those positions, with the Cowboys failing far too many times at adding a true starter next to Sean Lee.

With free agency approaching on the league calendar, the Cowboys will now have a decision to make on one of their most promising linebackers. After four years of solid production at all three LB spots, Anthony Hitchens is set to hit the open market.

Schedule & Game Results Table
Defe Defe Defe Defe Defe
Week Rec Opp 1stD TotYd PassY RushY TO
1 W 1-0 New York Giants 13 233 198 35 1
2 L 1-1 @ Denver Broncos 26 380 202 178 2
3 W 2-1 @ Arizona Cardinals 22 332 283 49
4 L 2-2 Los Angeles Rams 24 412 244 168
5 L 2-3 Green Bay Packers 25 342 182 160 1
6 Bye Week
7 W 3-3 @ San Francisco 49ers 23 290 187 103 3
8 W 4-3 @ Washington Redskins 16 285 236 49 3
9 W 5-3 Kansas City Chiefs 17 323 255 68 1
10 L 5-4 @ Atlanta Falcons 22 336 204 132 1
11 L 5-5 Philadelphia Eagles 17 383 168 215
12 L 5-6 Los Angeles Chargers 25 515 434 81
13 W 6-6 Washington Redskins 15 280 224 56 4
14 W 7-6 @ New York Giants 21 330 228 102 2
15 W 8-6 @ Oakland Raiders 19 293 171 122 1
16 L 8-7 Seattle Seahawks 15 136 60 76
17 W 9-7 @ Philadelphia Eagles 12 219 149 70 2
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/25/2018.

 

Hitchens’ contract year did not start off as cleanly as the team hoped, injured against the Oakland Raiders in the preseason. Recovering faster than expected, Hitchens made his 2017 debut against the Green Bay Packers. You can see the improvements in the Cowboys’ overall numbers on defense once Hitchens returned to the field.

One thing the Cowboys do have going for them entering 2018 is the status of LB Jaylon Smith. The Cowboys deserve to parade around Jaylon Smith as a draft risk that worked out, and that’s exactly what it feels like they’ll do.

Relying on Smith and Lee to be the team’s primary linebackers, on the field together in Nickel sets, is a solid start for the Cowboys. Anthony Hitchens as depth behind both of these starters, a role he excels in, creates much less of a need at LB in Dallas though.

Anthony Hitchens was a fourth round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The 2018 Draft class features plenty of depth at his position, meaning the Cowboys’ could allocate the money Hitchens would warrant elsewhere – replacing him with a cheaper, younger option.

While slightly limited in pass coverage, Hitchens serves an important role as a read-and-react defender for the Cowboys that brings physicality against the run. This is the type of player that Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli loves.

The likes of Kris Richard and Ben Bloom have added say in what the Cowboys’ defense will look like moving forward now however. Richard will coordinate the back seven of this defense, as he did brilliantly in Seattle, while Bloom is the Cowboys’ new LB Coach.

Anthony Hitchens
Dallas Cowboys LB Anthony Hitchens (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

Just how much they value a quality, starting-caliber LB on this roster will say a lot about the direction the Cowboys want to go in free agency this offseason. While it is understood that they won’t be big spenders on outside players, signing their own has become a priority.

Taking this approach in free agency allows freedom come draft day, as the Cowboys can focus on adding talent anywhere on the roster.

Regardless of where Anthony Hitchens is next year, linebacker is a position the Cowboys should be looking to build on, and it may be best if they let Hitchens walk.

Born January 28th, 1996- Cowboys Super Bowl XXX. Point Boro Panther, Montclair State Red Hawk, and most importantly a proud member of Cowboys Nation! I host "Upon Further Review" on 90.3 WMSC FM and wmscradio.com every Friday from 1-4 PM ET. Twitter: @SeanMartinNFL.

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