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Dallas Cowboys: Top 5 breakout player candidates for 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State reacts after being picked #19 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State reacts after being picked #19 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys are going to need breakout seasons from some of their young players if they are going to compete with the Eagles in 2018…

ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State reacts after being picked #19 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State reacts after being picked #19 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Dallas Cowboys have fallen off the wagon a bit since their stellar 2016 season where they won 13 games and the NFC East.

Now, they are looking up at the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles and facing some stiff competition with an improved Washington Redskins roster and a Giants team that is going to be healthy and just added arguably the top playmaker in the 2018 NFL Draft, Saquon Barkley.

The Cowboys will need some players to step up and have breakout seasons in 2018. Here’s a look at five guys who could do just that for America’s Team…

5. Leighton Vander Esch, LB

A linebacker trio of Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, and Leighton Vander Esch is terrifying for opposing offensive coordinators and players.

Planning every week to go up against players with high football IQ, instincts, and speed is going to be nearly impossible, and Vander Esch could be in line for a huge rookie season as a result of the talent around him.

Vander Esch is built similar to Brian Urlacher coming out of New Mexico back in 2000 and has phenomenal athleticism and the ability to attack the line of scrimmage fearlessly.

The reckless abandon with which Vander Esch attacks the ball carrier is going to make him a household name quickly for the Cowboys. If he can quickly learn the terminology and communication aspect of his position and play fast as a rookie without having to overthink things, he’s going to be a star immediately.

His abilities alone make him a breakout candidate for 2018, but Vander Esch understands the game extremely well and is motivated to make a big impact.

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