The Dallas Cowboys offense and defense were near polar opposites a season ago. While they were one of the best offensive units in the league last year, they were also historically bad on the defensive side of the ball, arguably the worst in the NFL. We all knew big changes are coming at the end of the 2025 season, but none of us knew exactly how much.
Now, heading into training camp, we all know the Cowboys have been much an entire new defensive coaching staff, headlined by a first-time ever defensive coordinator, Christian Parker. He’s installing a new, versatile 3-4 scheme and added several new faces to the roster to align more than what he prefers at each individual position. How this all plays out as the ultimate mystery.
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There seems to be an endless amount of unanswered questions about the Cowboys defense heading into training camp, but sitting at the top of the list has to be the overall depth at the linebacker position. It was a sore spot for them a season ago, which is why we’re likely to see an entirely new faces manning the position this year.
As things stand right now, it looks as if DeMarvion Overshown is the favored option to start at the MIKE LB position. He’s entering a contract year and has missed a total of 32 games in his three seasons with the Cowboys due to two separate season-ending knee injuries. If he can overcome his injuries and stay healthy, he’s shown glimpses of game-changing ability.
Expected to start next to Overshown at the WILL LB position is Dee Winters who the Cowboys acquired via trade from the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick. He’s someone they had an eye on since coming out of TCU and finally pulled the trigger to bring him aboard. He’s started 27 games last two years, making him the most seasoned LB on the roster.
Overshown and Winters have a chance to be a much improved LB duo for the Cowboys than any kind the combination they deployed last year. However, neither has much experience playing 3-4 scheme, causing a little bit of concern. That is what training camp, to see if they are able to seamlessly transition into the scheme and flourish.
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Behind them, the LB depth he’s even more of a mystery, starting with this year’s third-round pick Jaishawn Barham. If anybody challenges Overshown for the starting MIKE LB position, it might be the rookie out of Michigan. His physicality and versatility as an off-ball LB and pass rusher could put him in contention for a starting role if he shows up in training camp.
And we can forget about last year’s leading tackler, Shemar James. No one knows what kind of role the second-year LB will play with Christian Parker running the show this year. Last year as a rookie he showed some good things on tape, but still needs to improve his game by leaps and bounds he wants to earn significant playing time this year.
The rest of the Cowboys LB depth is probably competing just to make the final 53-man roster. If no one emerges from the pack, Dallas may look outside the organization in the hopes of finding an upgrade, whether it’s for depth purposes or for a potential starter. That of course remains to be seen, but something to keep in mind as things progress throughout training camp/preseason.
