While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.
However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we'll continue the series with linebacker Damien Wilson.
Views of #57 Linebacker Damien Wilson from the 2017-18 Regular Season.
10 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) avoids a Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (57) tackle on an 8-yard catch-and-run during first quarter action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver ,Colo. September 17, 2017. (Photo via Eric Bakke)
17 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Cardinals, 28-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dallas Cowboys linebackers Damien Wilson (57) and Sean Lee (50) tackle Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) during a 2017 NFL week 3 regular season game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Cardinals, 28-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
01 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (57) and Stephen Paea (55) give chase during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
08 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Marquise Goodwin during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Marquise Goodwin during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) celebrates with Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Tom Hauck via AP)
29 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs KC
Dallas Cowboys' Damien Wilson (57) and Byron Jones (31) watch as Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith (11) signals at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sarah Warnock)
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) tackles Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during an NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won, 28-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Dallas Cowboys strong safety Kavon Frazier (35) is congratulated by teammates outside linebackers Kyle Wilber (51) and Damien Wilson (57) after making a tackle on a punt return during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
05 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
05 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
DAL Vs ATL
12 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
19 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs LAC
DAL vs LAC
23 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) and wide receiver Noah Brown (85) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 38-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (57) in coverage during a week 13 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (57) in coverage during a week 13 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
10 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 December 2017: Damien Wilson
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Damien Wilson (57)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (57) rushes downfield on special teams coverage during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)
What's Been Good:
Wilson is a rather good tackler who uses his athleticism to get around the football. Not only does that show up on defense, but special teams, where he ranked sixth on the team with seven tackles. Overall, Wilson was 11th on the defense with 39 tackles and he tied with Anthony Hitchens for the most quarterback pressures (five) by a linebacker in 2017.
What's Been Bad:
The fact that Wilson only ranks 11th on the defense in tackles and hasn't been much of a consistent factor has to be somewhat disappointing as he wraps up his third pro season. Despite the injuries to Sean Lee, Hitchens and Jaylon Smith, Wilson didn't find a way to get more involved in the defensive flow. On top of that, Wilson is probably most known for a couple of off-field incidents. While that hasn't exactly affected his play on the field, you would like to have more positive moments to trump the negativity, and for now, there hasn't been much of that.
2017 Highlight:
In a 40-10 win over the 49ers, Wilson had his most active game, recording his only sack of the season. He also finished the game with two solo special teams tackles.
What's Next:
Some of that will depend on what the Cowboys decide to do in free agency, most notably with Hitchens. But even though the club will probably address the position in the draft, Wilson should be in position to compete for playing time, perhaps even on top of his starting SAM position. If he can find his way regularly onto the nickel defense, Wilson would have a chance to increase his stats, which should be rather important as he enters a contract season.
- Wilson has developed into the starter at SAM linebacker and occasional nickel player.
- Is strange in how on/off he can be during a game.
- When he runs and tackles, you feel it. Is a physical player in every sense of the word but is also at times wildly out of control.
- Will over run plays that puts himself in terrible positions to finish.
- His aggressiveness is a strength but at the same time a weakness.
- Initially thought with this style of play would be a liability in coverage but hasn't always been the case.
- Understands where he needs to be and works hard to execute.
- Can be a force on special teams with his size and athletic ability.
- Plays with little fear.
