Under the leadership of Dan Quinn, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense has become formidable in a short period.
Drafting Micah Parsons catapulted the defense to new heights.
However, even before then, Trevon Diggs brought athleticism to the secondary, and the signings of Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse added the attitude.
This year the first-round pick landed in the middle of the defensive front with Mazi Smith.
He will most certainly make the run defense stouter as the year progresses.
What about that third-round pick that Dallas stumbled upon? DeMarvion Overshown is going to be an interesting chess piece for this unit.
Is he going to line up as a linebacker?
Maybe he’ll get snaps on the edge.
How about the big nickel safety/linebacker hybrid? All of those options are on the table.
If you remember the 1992 Dallas Cowboys, there was a player with similar qualities.
He was smaller than Overshown, but he was in a class of his own with versatility.
Could DeMarvion be this year’s version of Darren Woodson? It’s probably too early to jump out the box, but the possibility still exists.
It’s a stretch but there are some similarities between Woodson and Overshown
Back in 1992, Dallas drafted Darren Woodson out of Arizona State University.
Many will remember he wasn’t a strong safety leaving the collegiate ranks. He spent most of his time playing outside linebacker.
He was a heck of a talent. During his time at ASU, Woodson played some edge, linebacker, and safety, showing his versatility and ability to impact the game.
The Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo saw the undeniable talent similar to Dan Quinn identifying the talent in Overshown.
The future Hall of Famer ran a 4.53 at the NFL Combine in the 40-yard dash solidifying the idea that he could fall into the mold of a safety.
Let the record show that on his pro day, he improved his time dramatically by running a 4.38.
With that, his rookie season included backup defensive back duties, scheme specific assignments, and special teams.
The special team’s role required effort and sacrifice and Darren Woodson was up for that and some in his first season.
As recent as three years ago, he still supports the mantra of hustling to the ball.
DeMarvion will more than likely go through a similar transition as Woodson. He is an undersized linebacker, according to NFL standards.
The Texas linebacker measured 6’3″ and 239lbs at the NFL Combine. However, the athleticism at the position will be his calling card.
An athlete who runs a 4.56 in the 40 at his size can do damage unleashed within a defense.
But like Woodson, he’ll get plugged within specific defensive packages and special teams.
I will not be shocked if he steals the title of special teams ace before the end of his rookie campaign.
Both players have a creative coach that knows how to use them
Dave Campo and Dan Quinn are great defensive minds that can see beyond what the numbers tell them.
Within the game of football, few can assess, envision and deploy talent on their level.
Both of those guys have that in spades.
Campo wasn’t as bullish on putting Woodson into the starting lineup, but when he landed there, the creativity began.
Only a handful of coaches would be comfortable allowing their strong safety to double down and play the free spot.
Even beyond that, having a coach who will trust to put that prospect in the slot, which could be the most challenging place to contain a receiver, takes guts.
Luckily for DeMarvion, he has a coach with similar fortitude.
Quinn knows how to play to a player’s strengths.
Daron Bland last year is a clear example, as well as Damone Clark.
As it pertains to maximizing a player’s skillset, look no further than Parsons.
I’ll admit, Micah does play a load of snaps on the defensive edge.
But I’m sure everyone remembers he came in as a linebacker with ridiculous athletic ability.
Quinn was fearless in putting a 245lb linebacker on edge and getting multiple double-digit sack years, All-Pro recognition, and the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
I’m not saying DeMarvion Overshown will have a Parsons’ type of rookie season.
Putting him in the same breath as Darren Woodson is criminal enough.
However, Overshown has the talent to be a mainstay in this defense.
He’ll have an impact on special teams in his rookie season, and if that is the connection between him and “Woody,” most Dallas fans will take that.
