NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer breaks down the Dallas Cowboys, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2015, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve its position in 2016.

LINEBACKERS

Under contract: Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Damien Wilson, Andrew Gachkar, Mark Nzeocha, Keith Smith, Derek Akunne

Free agents: Rolando McClain, Kyle Wilber

Rolando McClain aims for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in a game earlier this season. Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports

A look back: All eyes were on Lee in his return from a torn ACL that cost him the 2014 season, and he did not disappoint. In 14 games the coaches credited him with 156 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, six quarterback pressures, one interception and five pass deflections.

Year 2 of McClain wasn’t as good as Year 1, but he was still productive. He had the lone defensive touchdown of the year with a 12-yard interception return against the Dolphins.

Hitchens did not play as much as he did as a rookie because Lee and McClain did not suffer major injuries, but he still finished fourth in tackles with 85 according to the coaches’ count. He also had two sacks, three tackles for loss, eight pressures, a pass deflection and a forced fumble.

Wilber was a spot starter at strong-side linebacker and produced. The Cowboys changed their strong-side linebacker spot based on the opponent. If they faced a power running team, Wilber would start. If not, then Hitchens would get the call.

The Cowboys signed Gachkar as a free agent to be a core special teamer and spot player defensively. He was solid if unspectacular. Wilson was drafted in the fourth round with an eye on the future. He played 30 snaps against the Saints (and 32 for the season) on defense but didn’t get a defensive snap after Oct. 4.

Nzeocha, a seventh-round pick, spent most of the year on the non-football injury list after hurting a knee in his last year at Wyoming. He played in two of the final three games in a special teams role.

A look ahead: Lee has a home at the weak-side spot, and Hitchens can play middle linebacker if McClain does not return. The strong-side spot is less of an issue because of how much the Cowboys use their nickel defense.

But that doesn’t mean the Cowboys are set. Lee has yet to play a full season, missing two games this year and parts of two others. Hitchens has been banged up in his first two years. Wilson and Nzeocha are unknowns entering their second seasons.

Linebackers coach Matt Eberflus has had to mix and match with his group the past few years and has a way of putting players in position to succeed.

A look out: McClain was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and faces a steeper penalty with another misstep. Plus there is always the question of whether he wants to continue to play.

The Cowboys could keep him because the price tag will not be that high. Wilber will be an interesting decision because of his ability to play multiple spots. He can play in the nickel package if necessary, or put his hand on the ground as a pass rusher. He is also a core special teamer.

The Cowboys have other needs, but it is not a stretch to see them taking a linebacker early in the draft. UCLA’s Myles Jack might be the best athlete available and could be in the mix with the fourth overall pick, even if that seems high for a linebacker. The knee injury suffered by Jaylon Smith in Notre Dame's bowl game will likely cause his draft stock to slip. Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Cowboys’ team doctor, performed the surgery so the Cowboys will be well aware of how Smith, whose brother Rod is a running back for the Cowboys, is faring.

The Cowboys are not likely to spend big in free agency for a linebacker because of the money they have tied into Lee and the belief they have in Hitchens. But they will need to find linebackers that can play multiple spots.