Cowboys will need young linebackers to grow up quickly

The Dallas Cowboys have arrived in Oxnard, California for the 2023 training camp activities.

It is the first real football team activities since their playoff loss in the Divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers.

Although the sting of that loss is still present amongst Cowboys Nation, it’s time to look forward to the 2023 season.

The first opponent on the Cowboys 2023 schedule is actually themselves.

In order to take the field in Week 1, the Cowboys will first have to decide who makes the roster.

Dallas sports a very competitive team with players that will best sharpen their skills versus players with the same helmet.

The linebacker position is one of the few positions where Dallas has little to no experience outside of just one starter.

My training camp battle series continues today with one of the leanest position groups on the roster.

To recap previously published positions, utilize the following links.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Offensive tackle

Offensive guard

Defensive tackle

Defensive end

Cowboys LB Leighton Vander-Esch

Linebacker

Established starter(s): Leighton Vander-Esch
Battle for Backup: Damone Clark, Jabril Cox, DeMarvion Overshown, Devin Harper, Malik Jefferson

The other linebacker spot next to Leighton Vander-Esch in Dan Quinn’s 4-2-5 defense is anyone’s guess.

An easy answer would be Micah Parsons, even though 2022 showed us he is much better suited as a defensive end or just a hybrid player moved all over the defense.

If none of the young players are able to step up into a starting role, it very well may be Parsons and LVE running down ball carriers sideline to sideline.

Cowboys LB Damone Clark

Damone Clark

The likeliest option to start at linebacker next to LVE is second year player Damone Clark.

Clark was a surprise participant in the second half of the 2022 season.

Originally projected as a 1st-2nd round talent, he fell to the 5th round after doctors found a problem with his spine at the NFL Combine.

Dallas had faith in their own doctors and training staff to select him, and he did not let them down.

Making his first appearance in Week 8 versus the Chicago Bears, Clark was a big contributor to the defense from that point forward.

The Cowboys hope he can build off of his rookie season to become one of the best linebackers on the roster.

Cowboys LB Jabril Cox

Jabril Cox

Like Clark, Cox is also an LSU product that Dallas fell too far in the draft.

Entering his third season, a torn ACL in his rookie year has slowed Cox’s development.

Dallas expected him to come in and make a near immediate impact.

He did, but the injury has brought that progress to a near complete stop.

Now a full season removed from his ACL injury, Cox is poised to clear the mental hurdle of that injury to show his full potential on the field.

Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown

DeMarvion Overshown

The rookie out of the University of Texas is a player that the Cowboys considered drafting in the 2nd round.

To their surprise, DeMarvion Overshown fell to them in the 3rd round, and they couldn’t turn in the card fast enough.

Overshown is a do-it-all linebacker who can run down ball carriers, cover tight ends, or rush the passer.

He is so athletic, many are projecting him to fall into a role similar to safeties Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson.

Devin Harper

Devin Harper is a 6th round pick in last year’s draft from Oklahoma State University.

He only played special teams as a rookie, recording exactly zero defensive snaps on a team desperate for linebacker depth.

If he can’t crack into the regular linebacker rotation, Harper should at least be retained to replace Luke Gifford on special teams, who was lost to free agency.

Malik Jefferson

The Cowboys already sport a pair of LSU linebackers, so it only makes sense they also have a pair from the University of Texas.

Malik Jefferson has been in the league since 2018 with four different teams.

He has only 16 total tackles to his name, and hasn’t played a regular season snap since 2021.

It’s unlikely he makes the roster with those numbers unless he vastly improves.

Prediction

I don’t believe the linebackers currently on the depth chart will be the final roster.

Dallas will give the young players a chance to shine in training camp, but if they don’t show enough, a veteran or two will be brought in.

The Cowboys did exactly that last season when they brought in veteran Anthony Barr just before the start of the season.

With two safeties who double as linebackers in the Cowboys’ base defensive formation, it’s possible Dallas only activates three or four linebackers on gameday.

If the number is four, the players will be LVE, Clark, Overshown, and Cox or Harper.

That leaves Jefferson as the odd man out, and may even push out Cox or Harper if the Cowboys add a veteran.

Linebacker is considered the weakest position on the roster.

The youth needs to step up big time to prevent a disaster should LVE not remain healthy the entire season.