The Dallas Cowboys had their first official padded practice yesterday, and up until now, we’ve only been able to see players go with the flow and not go into things at full game speed. Yet, once the pads go on, something triggers these guys to pump it up a little bit.
That is exactly what second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown did Tuesday.
As we know, Overshown missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, and he probably couldn’t wait to get this feeling again.
Showing Promise Early
In the video below you will see him running with the first team defense and shooting the gap incredibly quickly. If you didn’t know, he is No. 13 this season.
Sure, this is only the first day of padded practice, and he will probably have his struggles, but man, when was the last time we have seen a Dallas Cowboys linebacker be able to shoot the gap like that?
The one thing I was worried about with him coming back, just like I have with Trevon Diggs returning, is how much they trust the surgically repaired knee.
Getting your mind in the right place to feel like you can trust yourself to put pressure on the knee is key.
So seeing him be explosive like this during the first padded practice is exciting.
If he can continue looking like this from now until the end of the season, the Cowboys could have their next linebacker of the future.
Overall Depth at Linebacker
Although Overshown is showing promise early in training camp, there is still reason to be concerned about the depth of the Cowboys linebackers.
Eric Kendricks will wear the green dot this season and be the man leading Mike Zimmer’s defense. I like that, and as noted, Overshown is the other bright spot, but after those two, it gets a bit ugly.
Damien Wilson enters his second stint with Dallas after winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs and one-year tenures with the Jaguars and Panthers.
He might be aging, but he brings well-needed experience and depth at the inside linebacker spot.
Damone Clark has the chance to be a superb linebacker. He has battled back from spinal fusion surgery. Mike Zimmer should be able to use him better than Dan Quinn did.
Kendricks, Overshown, Wilson and Clark are the four names we will probably hear most of the year. The depth is thin. If one of them gets hurt, the last thing I want to do is put my trust in a guy like Buddy Johnson, if he even makes the roster.
Marist Liufau will likely be a special teams player until he proves himself.
He is 6-foot-2, 234 pounds. He has the length and the strength to be a good run stopper, if he finds himself on the field at all.
One other player that is probably worth keeping an eye on is Willie Harvey Jr.
He led the UFL with 76 tackles in 2024, including a second-best nine tackles for loss. Dallas signed him earlier this offseason. If he makes the team, he could be a help. The Cowboys have had success with signing guys like this.
With the loss of Sam Williams on the defensive line and, as of now, no help on the way via the free agent market, the linebackers are going to have to be a solid group this year.
We will have to see what happens with the rest of this depth when the preseason games are over, but the ones mentioned are who I think will make the roster. So I plan on seeing those guys on the field in 2024.