19. DALLAS COWBOYS (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Cowboys slid from NFC-best 13 wins to out of playoffs for several reasons New York Giants Jerseys Womens , some likely to be addressed in draft. QB Dak Prescott couldn't match numbers from NFL Offensive Rookie of Year season in 2016. Offensive line was inconsistent because of injuries, and left guard is need with Jonathan Cooper leaving in free agency. Star WR Dez Bryant had third straight subpar season since signing $70 million contract and was released to avoid big salaries and cap hits in final two years. Team didn't get many big plays from receivers. Because Prescott and OL weren't as good, Cowboys couldn't overcome star RB Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension for domestic violence allegations. Cowboys were playing their best when 2016 NFL rushing leader's legal options ran out eight games into season. Dallas lost first three without him, couldn't recover to make postseason. Defense was again solid but lacking dynamic playmakers beyond DE DeMarcus Lawrence, second in NFL with 14 1/2 sacks.

THEY NEED: WR, LB, S, OL, DT, TE

THEY DON'T NEED: RB, CB, QB

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama; G Will Hernandez, UTEP; S Derwin James Christian Kirk Color Rush Jersey , Florida State; T Kolton Miller, UCLA; WR D.J. Moore, Maryland; WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama; WR Courtland Sutton, SMU; DT Vita Vea, Washington.

OUTLOOK: If Cowboys don't go WR in first round, they will be counting on free agent Allen Hurns to replace Bryant as No. 1 receiver. Hurns flashed potential in four years at Jacksonville, but never big numbers. With Sean Lee's history of injuries and lingering uncertainty over Jaylon Smith's recovery from bad college knee injury, LB remains priority. Cowboys let steady, versatile Anthony Hitchens go in free agency. Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith's injury issues exposed lack of depth on OL, so fourth first-rounder in eight years wouldn't be shock. Could be tackle or guard because Cowboys might consider moving La'el Collins back to LG from RT. If Prescott and Elliott find rookie form again, outlook brightens considerably with right help in draft. If not and Cowboys miss playoffs, franchise could end up in transition with firing of coach Jason Garrett and cloudy future for Prescott two years after Dallas turned to him by releasing Tony Romo, who retired.
Two hours of practice in the heat and humidity weren't enough for Pete Robertson.

As dripping teammates slowly ambled to the locker room and showers Sunday Rams John Franklin-Myers Jersey , Robertson lined up on one sideline and sprinted across the field to the other sideline. Then and back, over and over again, for extra conditioning.

As the linebacker tries to make it all the way back from a debilitating back injury that threatened to take football away for good, he's leaving nothing to chance as he tries to make the Washington Redskins.

"It's been a long journey," he said.

A very effective pass rusher at Texas Tech, Robertson figured to be drafted before he herniated a disk in his back while working out before the draft. The injury led to a pinched nerve, and after Robertson insisted on running at his Pro Day workout for scouts, he never heard his name called during the NFL draft.

He signed a free agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks, but didn't stick, and had been working the graveyard shift loading trucks at UPS for three months when his agent called. The Redskins were interested.

Before hanging up, Robertson told him, "'They aren't ever going to let me go' and I've been here ever since."

And more and more, he seems likely to stick around for a while.

"Petey has been unbelievable," fifth-year coach Jay Gruden said before a recent practice. "Yeah Authentic Da'Shawn Hand Jersey , he's been great. Very, very athletic, and you're talking about a guy that can possibly help on special teams, as your fourth or fifth linebacker, and he's one because he can run."

When the Redskins signed Robertson last December, they initially used him at running back on the scout team because of a need there. He got in four games and made two tackles late in the season. A defensive end in college, the team has since tried him at inside linebacker, Gruden said, but "that wasn't quite his cup of tea."

"We moved him back down as an outside linebacker/defensive end in nickel. He's done very, very well."

And made an impression on teammates with his willingness to work.

"You know, when we had a lot of guys down and out, he got a lot of reps and you could see the burst that he has and the speed," offensive tackle Morgan Moses said. "He brings another aspect to the game and he works hard, man.

"There's not one thing you tell him to do that he's not going to do it. You tell him to go get some water 50 yards down the field Authentic DJ Moore Jersey , he's going to run and get water 50 yards down the field. He just has that mentality."

It's an appreciation of a second chance Robertson wasn't sure he'd get.

The thought that football might be in his past "went through my mind every night, every morning," he said. "Before I went to bed, when I woke up. ... I knew it wasn't the end of the road for me. I knew it wasn't. I never gave up on the dream, but you always have that thought in the back of your mind: 'Is this it?'"

In the offseason, Robertson added back the 30 pounds he'd lost while away from the game during day-long weekday workouts with his cousin, Redskins star left tackle Trent Williams. Williams was rehabbing after a right knee injury, and Robertson knew he had to make a big impression once the Redskins opened training camp.

So far, he's doing just that, and enjoying it every step of the way.

"I wouldn't trade it for nothing," he said.
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