Jaishawn Barham Returns to His Roots with the Cowboys

The Cowboys are doing the right thing by starting Jaishawn Barham back where this whole thing began.

At Maryland, Jaishawn Barham was not some edge rusher trying to learn linebacker, he was just a linebacker on the inside. He lived in traffic as a freshman and sophomore making reads, filling gaps, and making plays at the second level.

I love the fit at middle linebacker.

Barham is listed by the Cowboys at 6’3” and 240 pounds, which gives him the body type Dallas has needed in the middle of its defense for some time. He’s not some oversized safety trying to survive at linebacker.

He has the size and physical play style of a true inside linebacker.

If anyone watched him play at Michigan, they would know he finished his career as an edge rusher.

Now he gets the chance to return to his roots with the Cowboys.

Jaishawn Barham Started as a Linebacker

This is the part of his story that I think shows everyone this isn’t his first rodeo, playing in the middle of the defense.

Jaishawn Barham played his first two college seasons at the University of Maryland as a four-star recruit at linebacker and the production was there.

As a freshman in 2022, he finished with 58 tackles, 35 solo tackles, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He had the most tackles of any Big Ten freshman that season.

That’s not the beginning of a resume for someone who can’t play inside linebacker.

As a sophomore in 2023, Barham added 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries. He showed he is a linebacker who can do a little bit of everything: tackle, blitz, play in space, and affect the passer.

These are just a few of the reasons I don’t see Barham as a full-time edge rusher. I see him as a linebacker who gained more pass-rush tools along the way.

Cowboys Plan to Use Jaishawn Barham at MIKE

Christian Parker sees the same thing.

Parker talked about Jaishawn Barham’s versatility and said the Cowboys don’t have to project it because they have already seen him play both off the ball and on the edge. More importantly, Parker said Dallas wants to keep Barham at MIKE right now and see how that transition goes.

Christian Parker on #Cowboys third-round pick Jaishawn Barham and his fit in the defense:

"The best thing is you don't have to project it, because you see it. At both Maryland and Michigan, he's playing both spots. He's off the ball, he's playing on the edge, they're playing… pic.twitter.com/6HL3ehuqxd

— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) May 1, 2026

I like this approach.

The Cowboys can still use Barham as a blitzer. They can walk him up in the A-gap, let him mug the line of scrimmage, or bring him off the edge in certain packages.

I think that should only be a part of his game, not his full-time job.

There is a huge difference between a middle linebacker who can rush and an edge rusher you’re trying to teach how to play inside. Barham is the first one, and that’s why I think this move makes sense.

The Bradie James Comparison

When I see Jaishawn Barham and knowing he will play the MIKE, I can see shades of Bradie James.

Barham is 6’3” and 240 pounds, while James was 6’2” and 240 pounds during his tenure with the Cowboys in the early 2000s. They aren’t the same player, but close enough to make the comparison worth talking about.

What matters more is the role.

If you watched Bradie James play you know he wasn’t the flashiest player on the field, but he gave Dallas something valuable. He was physical, dependable, and steady in the middle of the defense. He was able to take on blocks, sort through traffic, and bring a grown man presence to the middle of the defense.

I would like Barham to become this type of player for the defense.

The Cowboys have plenty of speed and hybrids at linebacker, but too often, Dallas looked to light in the middle when teams decided to line up and run the ball downhill. Jaishawn Barham gives them a chance to change that narrative.

Jaishawn Barham Can Bring Balance

I like the idea of Jaishawn Barham next to Dee Winters in this defense.

Winters gives Dallas speed and range, while Barham brings the size, power, and downhill force. That kind of balance will matter in Christian Parker’s defense, especially if the Cowboys are serious about getting more physical.

Barham still has to prove he can handle the mental side of playing MIKE in the NFL. He will need to see the game fast, communicate, get the front lined up, and stay disciplined with his eyes. That part will take work.

I would rather let him grow there than waste his best value by making him a package-only edge rusher.

Jaishawn Barham needs to play middle linebacker. Let him bring that physical edge to the middle of the defense.

I say let him return to his roots.