The first joint practice between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams is in the books, and according to many Cowboys reporters, it was a dominant defensive showing, including from undrafted free agent Justin Barron, who had three interceptions. One of them came against the reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford, and two against backup Stetson Bennett.
In case you need to make sure that's not a typo, it's OK. In case you needed some confirmation, check out what Nick Harris said about Barron.
Make that THREE interceptions for Cowboys LB Justin Barron today vs. the Rams.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 11, 2026
Just a reminder: the Cowboys still have DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters and Shemar James, and it ended up being Barron of all people who came through to have a monster day in pass coverage. The bigger question is: Did Jerry and Stephen Jones find their next linebacker right under their noses?
Cowboys' EVP Stephen Jones may not need to go out to find his linebacker after all
Stephen Jones recently said he was looking at a potential upgrade at linebacker and cornerback. Well, if he liked what he saw from Barron out there, there may not be a search for much longer.
Barron was undrafted in 2025 and later signed by the Cowboys. After last year's preseason, he was waived but then added to the practice squad. That's where he stayed for most of the year until he was activated on January 3rd.
He's still 24 years old and has plenty of time to make a name for himself, but it didn't take him long to do that.
At Syracuse, he racked up 293 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, he already has the ideal size for a linebacker, and today was his best day as a pro. He sure played like one.
For the Joneses, it's unclear who they may be targeting at linebacker, or even when. Bobby Wagner has always been a name in play, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Overshown has stated he wants to be the best LB in the NFL, and Christian Parker can definitely get him there. Next to Winters and a much-improved Barron, that doesn't look bad at all.
At cornerback, Shavon Revel and Cobie Durant have been on a tear in training camp. If the Cowboys want to look at another cornerback, they can, but Barron made it seem like he almost wanted to start in Week 1.
Obviously, still a lot of work for that to happen, but the UDFA may not only have helped his own case, but also unintentionally helped the Joneses figure out their linebacking needs.
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