What It Means:

Hitchens started five games in place of McClain last year. He’ll likely get the majority of McClain’s snaps at the MIKE in base sets, with Sean Lee staying on the weak side. Dallas has Andrew Gachkar and Mark Nzeocha behind Hitchens, who may form a committee at the vacated strong-side position.

Prior to his suspension, our algorithms projected McClain for 102.67 tackles, 2.13 sacks, and 2.96 passes defensed. Hitchens should pick that projection up, while Gachkar or Nzeocha receive or split his projected 80.17 tackles, 1.92 sacks, and 2.44 passes defensed.