FRISCO, TX — The NFL continues to gradually release the Top 100 players for 2020. The Dallas Cowboys had two players rank in the 100-71 category on Sunday with middle linebacker Jaylon Smith at No.88 and left tackle Tyron Smith at No.76.
Even though Jaylon racked up a career-high 142 tackles in all 16 games in 2019 resulting in his first pro bowl appearance following the 2019 season, he did not have the same production as he did the year before alongside fellow wolf-hunter, Leighton Vander Esch. The two elevated one another’s game and in 2019, Smith did not have his best performance in coverage. Smith was used as a pass rusher more in 2019, which gave him the opportunity to make a play and sack the QB, but many times as a result his b-gap assignment was left wide open for offensive weapons to sneak past the second level. With Vander Esch’s hopeful healthy return in 2020, along with new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan switching things up with multiple looks, the sky is the limit for Smith.
The other Smith is once again a high-ranked player. In 13 games last season, the nine-year veteran only allowed one sack. Tyron’s consistent technique and agility make him one of the best blocking tackles in the league. He has been named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls protecting his quarterback’s blind side and he is as good as they come. He will once again join teammates Zack Martin and La’el Collins in Dallas’ dominant O-line with new leadership, Joe Philbin.
Three more Cowboys were identified in the next talented group of players selected by their peers with right guard Zack Martin at No.55, wide receiver Amari Cooper at No.49, and quarterback Dak Prescott came in at No.46.
Martin is the standard of success in the league. The Notre Dame product has been in the NFL six years and has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of those six seasons and either first (four) or second (two) team All-Pro. He did not allow a sack in 2019 on 630 pass-blocking snaps and is the type-of-player that gives 100% on every play. He has never had a pass blocking grade lower than 84, according to Pro Football Focus, and is rarely out-leveraged by defenders at the line of scrimmage.
Cooper had dips in production in 2019 with little to no appearances on the road, but he is still a top receiver in the league with his ability to create separation on routes. He quickly gets out of breaks and outsmarts corners with his film study. The Alabama product finished the 2019 season with career-highs in yards (1,189) and touchdowns (eight). With the combination of Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb, Dallas has one of the most dangerous receiver trios in the league.
Dak had the best year of his career in 2019 with career-highs in passing yards (4,902) and touchdowns (30). He became more comfortable in the pocket diagnosing coverages and was the best deep downfield passer in the league. He proved his worth over and over again as one of the top ranked quarterbacks in the league, but will play the 2020 season under the franchise tag earning him $31.4 million.
