The Dallas Cowboys have a much better defense after a horrendous 2025 season. But with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, it's all about to change.
It could change for one of the Cowboys' young bucks at LB, and that's soon-to-be fourth-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. The young LB from Texas tore his ACL in the preseason of his rookie year and has been trying to be the breakout candidate fans had hoped for, but his ACL, MCL and PCL injuries since then have been tough to watch.
But ESPN's Ben Solak wrote an article on every team's breakout candidates and listed the Cowboys' Overshown as just that. Solak says Overshown didn't recover from his injury, but he's had all offseason to get back to full speed in 2026.
"Overshown did not look like himself after returning last season in Week 11 -- he had only one TFL in six games after posting eight in 13 games during the 2024 season. He cleared 19 mph in top speed seven separate times in the 2024 season, per NFL Next Gen Stats; he never cleared it in 2025."
ESPN picks DeMarvion Overshown as the Cowboys' 'breakout candidate'
It's only going to be his fourth season, but it feels like Overshown has been here a lot longer. We've all been waiting for him to explode onto the scene, but injuries have been his only setback. If his on-field tools can translate without worrying about injuries, Solak says he can finally perform at his best.
"As he gets further away from the injury, he'll hopefully recover the top speed that allowed him to play sideline to sideline and trigger quickly on those behind-the-line opportunities."
Overshown is confident too, and even told reporters earlier this offseason that he can be one of the best LBs in the league. He still needs to show his worth on the field, but his top-notch speed and tackling speak for themselves.
Under Parker's 3-4 defense, we'll likely see Overshown start at inside linebacker, but he's also in the running to be wearing the green dot. He's already one of the most tenured defenders on the Cowboys, and his voice is already strong enough to be a true leader.
The other linebackers on the depth chart are Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham and Shemar James. This shows Overshown is already seen as "the veteran" of the group, even though he's still got something to prove.
Overshown clearly has the speed to get out and become a star, but it's all about staying out there on the field and avoiding injury. Easier said than done, but that has to happen this season.
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