2018 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting every first round selection

Sean Lee has been a centerpiece of the Dallas Cowboys’ defense for nearly a decade. Not only is the two-time Pro Bowl selection nearing the end of his career, he’s struggled to stay healthy from the beginning. Lee has never played a full 16 game season in his eight year NFL career and he missed the 2014 season in its entirety.

A vocal leader, Lee’s presence in the locker room is important. That makes extending his career a priority for the Cowboys. Since they don’t have to fill a major gap at the linebacker position they can afford to go with a riskier pick, LSU edge rusher Arden Key.

Whether Key plays with his hand in the dirt or stood up in a timeshare with Lee, he’s proven he has the talent to make game-changing plays. The concerns with Lee come off the field. The junior left the team in February before returning for the 2017 season.

Whatever the situation the Cowboys will have been made aware of it and it probably won’t influence their decision. They’ve rolled the dice with much more dubious characters before. Jerry Jones seems primarily concerned with how his players produce on the football field. In that respect, Key is an easy selection.