As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for 2024, improving at linebacker has to be one of the top priorities of the offseason.
Linebacker has been a growing need for Dallas for a few years now, but the weakness hit its peak in the 2023 season.
Whether it be poor performance, lack of depth, lack of experience, or all of the above, it was impossible to watch the defense without cringing at the lack of help the Cowboys got from their linebackers.
Let's just say the season-ending injuries to veteran Leighton Vander Esch and rookie DeMarvion Overshown didn't help too much either.
To put it bluntly, the Cowboys were a million-dollar team with ten-cent linebackers in 2023.
Dallas is going to have a chance to improve at the position this offseason, and outsourcing is not the only way they can do that.
The focus will be on the draft and free agency, and rightfully so, but with a couple of young players already on the roster and a new defensive regime coming in, there are reasons to be excited about internal development as well.
No matter how they do it, improving at linebacker is a must heading into next year. The defense can become elite if they do.
Here is a look at three ways the Cowboys can improve the linebacker room in 2024.
Develop Young Talent
Of the likely starters who are already on the roster, the oldest guy is Markquese Bell, at just 25 years old.
Others include Overshown and former 5th-round pick, Damone Clark, at just 23 years old.
The obvious name being left off here is Vander Esch, and the reason for that is it looks like the end of the road for him. He is expected to either retire or be released because of his neck injury.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan says LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) is officially out for the season. “It's a very significant loss for us. We just wish him well.” Jones declined to say if he thinks this injury will be career-ending for Vander Esch
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 14, 2023
Dallas had a few veterans fill linebacker roles at times last season, like safety Jayron Kearse and Rashaan Evans, but Kearse is a free agent and Evans was released in December.
This leads us to the first major way the Cowboys can turn around the unit next season, and that is by taking Bell, Clark, and Overshown, and maximizing their great potential.
In the case of Bell and Clark, we have seen what they are capable of, and it can be impressive. They both possess speed and range that is hard to find from a 5th-rounder and an undrafted free agent.
With Overshown, all we have is a couple of preseason snaps before he blew out his knee, but man, did he look good.
I think the #Cowboys might have found something in DeMarvion Overshown. pic.twitter.com/ObuUtjd244
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 12, 2023
All of these young guys bring athleticism that is just dying to be tapped into, and Defensive Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, can do just that and more.
The focus for Zimmer needs to be elevating their game beyond the athletic ability; if Bell, Clark, and Overshown become savvy and polished, in addition to their already elite athleticism, they can be a nasty trio.
Add Veteran Presence
As I mentioned, there are strong doubts that Vander Esch ever suits up for the Cowboys again.
While this does open up a great opportunity for the young guys, it takes away the one true veteran presence at linebacker for Dallas; they have to bring in at least one veteran to help offset that.
The Cowboys have a chance to have a young and exciting linebacker room next year with the in-house guys and potentially a high draft pick, but they need an established guy too.
This is where free agency comes in.
Dallas has a couple of different options that could be huge pickups if they are willing to spend some money.
Guys like Azeez Al-Shaair, Bobby Wagner, and Jordan Hicks could all bring the veteran presence the Cowboys are lacking and the talent that they still need, even if the young guys take a step up.
Al-Shaair in particular is a name to remember; he is heading into his sixth season at 26 years old and had a career year with 163 total tackles in 2023.
https://twitter.com/chrissantosss_/status/1758901582669005245
He is going to be a hot commodity on the market because of his 2023 performance, his age, and the fact that he likely won't demand any more than $8M per year on his contract.
Guys like Wagner and Hicks are important to watch too, as they bring a ton of experience and, despite their age, skill to the table.
Draft Day Priority
It is a lot easier than it seems for Dallas to overhaul this linebacking corps into something special.
One free agent, one rookie, and the development of the young guys is all they need.
Lucky for the Cowboys, all three of those goals are completely attainable, if not right in front of them.
When it comes to the draft, I have become a huge fan of Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper.
Cooper is going to be the most common name thrown around Cowboys draft circles between now and April, and for good reason, but it is important to remember that about 31 other fanbases are clamoring for him too.
He is a great option for Dallas, as is NC State's Payton Wilson.
If not for a lengthy injury history, we would probably be talking about Wilson as the top-linebacker option for Dallas, not Cooper.
Medicals will be key, but I'm a big fan of Payton Wilson (NC State). https://t.co/QT9ulxEyRe
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 17, 2024
It may be “too soon” after the Vander Esch experiment for the Cowboys to feel comfortable drafting another injury-prone linebacker in the first two or three rounds, but this guy is tempting.
Wilson is coming off a 2023 where he had 138 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and just because he felt bored with the whole hitting thing, a team-high 3 interceptions.
He has electric speed for his size and talent through the roof. It just depends on how Dallas views his medical history.
Whether it is with Cooper, Wilson, or any other draft prospect and free agent, it is clear the Cowboys have a ton of options to improve at linebacker in 2024.
