The Dallas Cowboys found a true gem in DeMarvion Overshown. He made a strong impression in his first healthy season, logging 90 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, and looking like a building block in the middle of the defense.
Then, disaster struck again. He tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL in Week 14 of his rookie season, missing the remainder of the season and the first 10 games of the 2025 season. It was his second season-ending injury after tearing his ACL in the preseason as a rookie. That's why the Cowboys are playing a dangerous game with him right now.
The Cowboys Don't Have Insurance Behind DeMarvion Overshown
Dallas has yet to add another linebacker to the team. They cut ties with Jack Sanborn, as expected, but that unit has only become thinner now. On paper, Overshown can be a defensive anchor and a green-dot type of guy, but he has to prove that he can stay healthy.
He was a bit of a mixed bag in his second year in the league, which, all things considered, was understandable. He made six appearances (five starts), registering 28 total tackles (15 solo), including one tackle for loss.
That said, Overshown registered a Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade of 77.7 and had two pressures. He's a talented headhunter who can bring the heat at the line of scrimmage and keep quarterbacks on his toes, but he's got to stay on the field.
Overshown is an impressive athlete who exceeded expectations as a rookie. He's a high-volume tackler with a strong football IQ. With all of that being said, availability is the best ability, and two season-ending injuries and major knee ailments in three years in the league aren't a positive omen.
The Cowboys have been tied to multiple defensive players with their two first-round picks in the 2026 draft. They've also been rumored to be in the mix to trade up, most likely to get one of the top pass rushers in this class.
That makes perfect sense, but they will also have to find a running mate/insurance for Overshown at some point, whether it's in the draft, a trade, or in free agency. They're putting all their eggs in one basket, and while he's done more than enough to show he can be a true star, every player is always one snap away from potentially not playing another down, and his history of injuries is a major red flag.