3 X-factors for the Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns in Week 4

3. Aldon Smith, EDGE

Many people thought Aldon Smith may never be back in the NFL, let alone lead the league in sacks through three weeks. This is Smith’s first season since 2015 due to a laundry list of off-field issues that would make even Antonio Brown jealous.

But he has seemed to overcome all of that and fought his way back with Cowboys who aren’t affraid to take on a player with a troubled pass.

Before his hiatus from football Smith was one of the best defensive players anyone had seen. He had great strength and speed coming off the edge. He lost a little bit of that speed but he hasn’t lost anything else from his game.

He had 44 sacks in his first four seasons and helped the San Francisco 49ers make it to the Super Bowl. He made a pro bowl and was selected first team all-pro in 2012. Now he is back trying to return to that form.

He leads the NFL with four sacks and has probably been the best player on a Cowboys defense, which isn’t a good thing considering how much money the team has invested Demarcus Lawerence and Jaylen Smith.

That doesn’t change the fact that what Aldon Smith has done for the Cowboys has been unexpected a huge lift. Browns rookie Jedrick Wills has his work cut out for him this week against Smith and Lawerence.