Is Tyrone Crawford on the Verge of a Breakout Season?

Three years after being drafted out of Boise State in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, some at Valley Ranch believe defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford could be on the verge of a breakout season.

Among those who see the possibility for big things in Crawford’s immediate future is head coach Jason Garrett, who recently said the “sky is the limit” for the 25-year-old.

“He’s one of those players on the team that really kind of sets the pace for everyone,” Garrett said, per Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. “He’s a great practice player, he plays hard in the games, and I think he’s one of those guys that you point to as a coach and say, ‘Play the way he plays.’”

Crawford played sparingly in Rob Ryan’s 3-4 in his rookie year, finishing with 33 tackles, and missed all of 2013 after suffering a ruptured Achilles on the first day of training camp. Last year, he found a home at three-technique tackle in Rod Marinelli’s defense and recorded 33 tackles, the first three sacks of his NFL career and a forced fumble.

“If he puts it together and keeps working at his craft, you could see him being one of the better players at his position in the league,” fellow defensive tackle Nick Hayden said. “I’m excited to see what his future holds.”