In our last entry of the roster review series, we discussed the defensive tackles including one important element of stopping the run. However, the second level of the defense also has to pull its weight in that department. The linebacker position carries a lot of intrigue this season for varied reasons. For example, what impact will the linebackers have under their third defensive coordinator in as many seasons, and how do the pieces all fit under Matt Eberflus? Here’s a look at where the Cowboys are at linebacker ahead of training camp.

Kenneth Murray

After being drafted with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, Kenneth Murray has had an uneven career. As a rookie, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team. Yet since then, Murray has had an inconsistent career, seemingly alternating mediocre seasons with good ones. After signing a two-year, $15M contract with the Tennessee Titans, they traded Murray, along with a seventh-round draft, in exchange for a sixth-round pick from the Cowboys.

Murray fits the prototype of linebackers the Cowboys want to utilize. He’s big, he’s fast and he gets downhill in a hurry when he is in the right gap. Per PFF, Murray was ranked 185 out of 189 linebackers in terms of run defense, a likely signifier of his struggles in being caught out of position and why the Titans were willing to part with him. Hopefully, Dallas can get the best out of him and needs a fresh start.

Jack Sanborn

Eberflus’ connection with Jack Sanborn will give him a leg up on his linebacker counterparts after having played for Eberflus for the first three years of his career. Sanborn isn’t exactly a fast linebacker, relying more on instincts to be in the right spots than covering the field sideline to sideline. He could fit in at all three linebacker spots but would be better off playing Mike or Sam. Sanborn saw a sharp decline in his playing time last year where he was in and out of the lineup for Chicago. He also offers some pass-rush upside as a blitzer. Sanborn could emerge as the leader of the unit based on his familiarity with Eberflus.

Demarvion Overshown

If not for injuries, DeMarvion Overshown would probably be a Pro Bowl player by now. In his short career, we’ve seen what makes him such a unique talent. He’s got excellent speed, exceptional range to play horizontally, and plenty of length with very long arms. In pass coverage, he’s outstanding in covering underneath patterns in zone coverage. As a pass rusher, he’s a very good blitzer from the interior.

Overshown has all the makings of a defensive catalyst to change games, especially on a defense that already features Micah Parsons. Although he’s expressed optimism that he could return by Week 1 from his knee injury, the more likely timetable for his return is optimistically mid-season. Whenever he returns, it will be a boon to the defense. Get well soon Agent 0.

Marist Liufau

While Overshown recovers from injury, Marist Liufau likely steps into the top three at the position. Liufau appeared in all 17 games last season as a rookie. He saw an uptick in snaps for the last four weeks of the season and he did pretty well, having a career-high eight tackles in the season finale.

Liufau is a smart player that has good football instincts which got him on the field as a rookie. The coaches had enough faith in him to give him the green dot during the preseason to receive and relay the calls to the defense. He’s also willing to seek contact and packs a punch in engaging offensive linemen. A new system in his second year as a pro may come with a learning curve so some mistakes are to be expected. Yet Liufau’s ability to cover and play in space sees him on the field in passing downs in the base nickel defense to start the season.

Shemar James

The Cowboys selected Shemar James with the first of their two fifth-round picks (152nd overall). At 6’1”, 226 lbs., James has a combination of size and a dynamic aspect that the Cowboys can mold to fit multiple facets of their defense. Like many other linebackers on the team, James can play in space and has the speed to cover ground in all directions.

Eberflus covets the traits that James and his other linebackers possess, and the Cowboys seem to oblige their new defensive coordinator with the selection as the Cowboys traded their 174th- and 211th-overall picks to move and select James. That said, James is still a work in progress and likely will contribute to special teams to start his career. A pseudo “redshirt” year for James isn’t out of the question either as he takes time to acclimate himself to the nuances of the professional level.

Damone Clark

Clark is two years removed from the best season of his career where started all 17 games and totaled 109 tackles. That also coincided with Dan Quinn’s last year with the Cowboys. In 2024, Clark took a big step backward. He seemingly fell out of favor with former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and played in 18% of the defensive snaps despite the Cowboys having injuries at the position.

Clark is a very fast player that can be an asset. However, it’s his play recognition that gets him out of his position and effectively put him well behind on the depth chart with Zimmer. Clark is skating on thin ice as he’s in the final year of his contract and 2025 seems to be his last shot to make a lasting impression on the Cowboys. Depending on how the summer goes he could be on the way out after training camp. Stay tuned.

Justin Barron

When Syracuse held their pro day prior to the draft this spring, the Cowboys’ scouting department was very interested in the prospects there. That was underlined after the Cowboys signed linebacker Justin Barron after the draft.

Barron is a versatile prospect who during his collegiate career at Syracuse, spent time at wide receiver and defensive back before settling at linebacker. He is a 6’4”, 225 lb. athlete who provides a mixture of size and speed, with the innate physicality of a seasoned linebacker despite being relatively new at the position.

Despite being a late addition to the Senior Bowl, Barron demonstrated a varied skillset and the Cowboys invested heavily in the undrafted free agent linebacker with a whopping three-year, $2.95M contract. With that type of contract, you can expect the team to want to see an immediate return on their investment. Barron should see the field plenty throughout the summer.