Blogging The Boys
LT Overton isn’t just transitioning from college ball to the NFL in 2026, but he’ll also be moving to a new position. One of three fourth-round picks last April by the Cowboys, Overton is going from playing edge rusher at Alabama to an inside position in Dallas.
Years in NFL: 0
Acquired by: 2026 4th-round pick
Overton is no stranger to change. He spent 2022-2023 at Texas A&M before transferring to Alabama, where he’s started the last two years at edge. He posted career highs as a senior with 26 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. Overton just missed playing college ball with fellow Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs, who left the Crimson Tide for Ohio State in the same offseason that Overton left the Aggies.
Despite the extra recognition from playing at Alabama, Overton only had middling appeal in the 2026 draft class. He was too big and not athletic enough for the modern NFL pass rusher, looking more like a run stopper. There was pre-draft talk that he might fare best by bulking up and moving inside, and that’s exactly what the Cowboys saw in Overton when they use a late fourth-round pick to select him.
Years Left: 4
2026 Cap Hit: $1.08 million
Even in the first year, Day 3 picks don’t get much security. Overton’s contract would only trigger $789k in dead money if he’s released, so that won’t save him if Dallas doesn’t find a spot for him on the roster.
Role: Backup DT
Roster Chance: 95%
That said, we expect Overton to at least get a season. The Cowboys took him with a clear plan to move him inside. While he may not be a traditional 3-4 defensive end, Overton does fit the modern build of athletic 3-tech tackles. He will likely see work in nickel and other formations where size isn’t as important up front, rotating with veteran Jonathan Bullard as similar players.
The transition may keep Overton on the sideline most of the year, or at least the early portion. He will need to learn technique while also developing physically for the role. We’ll probably see more of Bullard and Otito Ogbonnia in the rotation with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. There are some excellent mentors for Overton in that group, hopefully helping him to develop quickly. If the Cowboys are going to carry him on the 53-man roster this year, he may end up having to play more once any of the veterans gets injured.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | P Bryan Anger | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | RB Jaydon Blue | G Tyler Booker | CB Josh Butler | CB Caelen Carson | S Alijah Clark | DT Kenny Clark | OT Ajani Cornelius | RB Malik Davis | S Caleb Downs | DT Tommy Dunn | [CB Cobie...
