Linebackers hold the keys to the Cowboys defensive success

For just a moment, think back to the Cowboys linebackers after Leighton Vander Esch went down in 2023. It was a huge weakness for Dallas, and the entire defensive unit felt the weight of it.

By the end of last season, Dan Quinn was relying almost exclusively on Damone Clark and Markquese Bell at linebacker, and they were simply not enough.

That is not a knock on those two young guys; they have bright futures in Dallas but Clark is still developing, as is Bell, who is also more of a safety hybrid at just 205 lbs.

Upgrading the position was a must for the Cowboys in 2024.

https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/status/1746933618985881606

They weren’t necessarily aggressive in their pursuit of linebackers this offseason, but when you look at the depth chart now, you do feel a lot more comfortable.

The 2024 Cowboys linebacker room will feature three “new” faces, including one that was around last year.

Success at the position will be crucial to the Cowboys’ defensive success, so let’s take a look at the group and talk about their prospects for this season.

The First-Timers at Linebacker

Second-year “rookie” DeMarvion Overshown and rookie Marist Liufau will experience the first regular season action in their NFL careers in 2024.

This pair of third-round picks are easily the most exciting Cowboys linebackers heading into training camp, and in the case of Overshown, that hype is almost a year in the making. The former Texas Longhorn suffered a season-ending ACL tear during preseason last year, ending his rookie campaign before it could even start.

After a long recovery process, Overshown is back and ready to perform.

https://twitter.com/TannerPhiferNFL/status/1694190417502171281

He could unlock a lot for the Dallas defense this year, as the athleticism he showcased in college and during his brief time last year pops off the screen.

In the case of the Notre Dame alum, Liufau, the Cowboys took a major shot with him as the 87th pick in the draft back in April, and expectations are high in his rookie season.

Many expected the team to go with a running back at that pick, but Liufau was the choice of new Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer, and it’s easy to see why.

Liufau brings an incredibly high football IQ to the Cowboys linebacker room.

https://twitter.com/DomWWhite/status/1784243902217609305

The coaching staff raved about that immediately following the draft, and that trait, accompanied by his athleticism and tackling skills, gives him a shot to play a lot in his rookie year.

Both Overshown and Liufau are huge additions to the defense in 2024, despite their youth and inexperience.

The Returnees to Dallas’ Defense

As previously mentioned, it was clearly Bell and Clark who carried the load for the Cowboys linebackers last season.

In a perfect world, would Dallas have had stronger options in 2023? Of course.

The experience these two young guys gained by leading the group will be invaluable to their long-term development. Heading into this season, both Bell and Damone Clark will once again be crucial to the defense, but this time they will be even better.

https://twitter.com/rjochoa/status/1744110836979818633

With a full year under both their belts, additional support around them, and a better scheme, we should expect to see major improvements from both players.

Even better, it is not all on them this time around–they can play the role that fits them best. That by itself will be a major boost to these two Cowboys linebackers, especially in the case of Bell.

Remember, this guy is not a natural linebacker. As I described earlier he is more of a safety hybrid. He was forced into playing outside that role in 2023 because of the lack of depth.

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1748164932443451634

Allowing Markquese Bell to play to his strengths rather than to the team’s needs is going to be a huge boost for him.

Expect this 2023 duo to blossom even more in the 2024 season, just in different roles with significantly less pressure on them.

The Cowboys’ Linebacker Veterans

There aren’t many, but the Cowboys linebacker room also features a couple of key veterans this season.

The list consists of three guys, although it is really two who are likely to have roster spots as we head into the season. Those two guys are the newly signed free agent and former Zimmer protegee, Eric Kendricks, and Damien Wilson, who is now on his second stint with the organization.

It is safe to say expectations are high for Eric Kendricks.

The Cowboys linebackers are going to follow his lead when it comes to the scheme, given his experience with Zimmer, and learn from his 10 years in the NFL.

https://twitter.com/SlaterNFL/status/1798069852688806030

Dallas only signed one external defensive free agent this offseason, and it was Kendricks. That fact only further underscores how important his role is expected to be in 2024. No longer in his prime, his contributions as the defensive leader and experienced linebacker will be priceless for the Cowboys.

With Wilson and fellow veteran Buddy Johnson, they are fighting for their spot on the 53-man roster. It is no guarantee either makes it, but I would be pretty shocked if both were cut.

This means it will be a good old-fashioned training camp battle for Wilson and Johnson as they try to make their case to be the second true veteran in the Cowboys linebacker room.

It will be an interesting season for this unit, but they now have the talent to compete and develop into something special.