Blogging The Boys
The Cowboys have some work to do at linebacker.
DeMarvion Overshown’s emergence as an impact player was one of the Dallas Cowboys’ few bright spots in 2024, but a Week 14 injury ended his year and put part of next season in jeopardy. Accounting for his absence, and potentially the loss of another top linebacker in free agency, are major topics for Dallas this offseason.
Buddy Johnson, Brock Mogensen
Overshown tore multiple right knee ligaments last December and his return is not expected until sometime during the 2025 regular season. Given the 2023 injury to his left knee, Overshown’s return will no doubt be treated with extreme caution by the Cowboys as they don’t want to compromise one of their most exciting young talents long-term. But at this point, you could just as easily project that he’ll be back in October as guessing he won’t return until 2026.
That uncertainty presents a pickle for the front office. Do you strategize around the hope of an earlier return or prepare for the worst? One could leave you shorthanded, and the other could feel like wasting resources at one position at the expense of another. But like it or not, that’s where we are.
Eric Kendricks’ first year in Dallas went about as well as anyone could’ve hoped for. The veteran provided immediate stability, leading the team in tackles while chipping in three sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles. His one-year contract is up and Mike Zimmer isn’t here anymore for the personal connection, so whether or not the 33-year-old gets re-signed is hard to say.
Thankfully, despite a lot of hand-wringing after the last draft, Marist Liufau looked more than deserving of being a third-round pick. He pushed Damone Clark down the depth chart and is the one reliable asset currently signed to play linebacker in 2025. He’ll certainly need help, especially with a new defensive system coming under Matt Eberflus, but Liufau showed the potential to start in his second season.
Speaking of Clark, the coordinator change may do him some good. After starting all 17 games in 2023, something didn’t click between Clark and Zimmer’s scheme and he fell into a minimal backup role. Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, Clark should be highly motivated to reverse course in his career. He could still vie for a big part in the rotation, especially for whatever period Overshown is absent.
Again, there are several ways this can go depending on Dallas’ confidence in Overshown’s return. Another short-term deal with a veteran, be it retaining Kendricks or looking to someone like Lavonte David or Bobby Wagner could make sense both for roster need and the leadership, mentoring role for the Cowboys’ young prospects.
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