Smith finished the regular season with 81 tackles (50 solo), two passes defended, two forced fumbles and a sack in 16 games.

EDGE Analysis

While he had his ups and down as a rookie, it's still impressive that he was able to suit up for all 16 games given that he missed the entire 2016 campaign recovering from the catastrophic knee injury that ended his college career at Notre Dame. Cowboys starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens is a free agent, and if Hitchens heads elsewhere Smith could enter 2018 atop the depth chart at the position, a spot that would provide him with some intriguing IDP upside -- especially if he regains more of the elite athleticism he flashed in college with further rehab.

Smith recorded a team-high eight tackles in Thursday's 28-6 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

It was his highest total since Week 4. Smith is no longer in the starting lineup, even with Sean Lee (hamstring) sidelined, but if he continues making plays he'll see his snap count start trending back up at the expense of veteran Justin Durant.

Smith had three tackles (two solo), one sack and a forced fumble Sunday against the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

This marks Smith's first sack and second forced fumble of the season. Although he slots in as a backup, the 22-year-old has logged 44 tackles (23 solo) through six games, making him a decent IDP option and an excellent keeper-league asset.

Smith is expected to settle into a reserve role Sunday against the 49ers with fellow linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) on track to return from a two-game absence, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With either Lee or Anthony Hitchens having missed all five of the Cowboys' games to date due to injury, Smith has enjoyed a productive run in a starting role, amassing 41 tackles over that span. Smith should still be a fixture in certain defensive packages Sunday, but an expected downturn in his snap count will limit his IDP utility going forward.

Smith racked up a team-high 10 tackles in Sunday's loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

It's his second straight game with double-digit tackles, and while the Cowboys defense as a whole clearly missed Sean Lee (hamstring), Smith's personal production benefited from the veteran linebacker's absence. Anthony Hitchens (knee) has begun practicing, but the original timetable for his return to the lineup was after the team's Week 6 bye, which should leave Smith as the starting MLB -- and a viable IDP play -- for at least one more game.

Smith recorded a team-high 10 tackles in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

It's always noteworthy when someone other than a healthy Sean Lee leads the Cowboys in tackles, but the fact that Smith was able to do it in his second NFL game after making a recovery from what could have been a career-ending knee injury is very impressive. The Dallas coaching staff has said they won't push the former Notre Dame star too hard, but his current performance level suggests he doesn't need training wheels. Smith may be emerging as a strong IDP asset.

Smith recorded seven tackles in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

He made a much bigger impact on the game than Justin Durant, his partner at middle linebacker, and Smith showed flashes of the form that likely would have made him a top-five pick coming out of college in 2016 if not for his major knee injury. The Cowboys will continue to monitor Smith's workload and keep him on a limited snap count, but once he proves he's capable of assuming a full-time role he could emerge as a strong IDP option.

Smith will see more action in the early part of the season than the Cowboys initially intended due to Anthony Hitchens' knee injury, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports. "It will definitely cause him to have an accelerated approach to how this year starts for him," owner/GM Jerry Jones said Tuesday. "So, yes, I think it's going to be more activity, more snaps for him right off the bat."

EDGE Analysis

Smith worked with the first-team defense in practice both Monday and Tuesday, but even with an increased workload he likely won't see enough action to be a reliable IDP play, as he'll be in a timeshare with veteran linebacker Justin Durant. "I think he's really ready to give us quality snaps out there," Jones said of Smith. "All you've got to do is watch him get there and watch him wrap and see what a physical force he is out there. So, with him and Durant, I think we're in great shape."

Smith got some reps at middle linebacker with the first-team defense during practice Monday, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anthony Hitchens (knee) will be out for at least the first half of the season, so the Cowboys need Smith ready to handle as much action as possible as he makes his comeback from nerve damage in his own knee. Veteran Justin Durant is more likely to handle the starting assignment in Week 1, especially on running downs, since the team doesn't want to push Smith too hard right out of the gate, but the second-year player should at least line up next to Sean Lee in nickel packages.

Smith (knee) will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith seems to have suffered no ill effects from his first game action since the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, and is expected to play as many, if not more, snaps than he did against the Colts last Saturday. The 22-year-old will likely play a significant role in the Cowboys' 2017 defense, but some fatigue and rust are to be expected early on.