Dallas Cowboys player gets surprising honorable mention that team needs to translate into a big year to avoid disaster
The Dallas Cowboys need their linebackers to show up in 2026. And if you ask people around the NFL, it’s clear who they’re best bet is—to the point of being put up there with the best at the position.
Every Dallas Cowboys fan is (and should) be worried about the linebacker room. After all, it was one of the worst positions on the team last year and though there are new faces in line to start, question marks still exist.
And yet, at least one player is out there receiving Top 10 votes from true NFL insiders.
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown gets honorable mention in ESPN rankings
League insider Jeremy Fowler polled NFL coaches, execs, and scouts to rank the Top 10 offside off-ball linebackers going into the 2026 season. For the most part, we saw expected names like Fred Warner, Roquan Smith, and Zack Baun.
But there was also Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown, who is entering a massive year in many ways. Overshown is in line to start for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker, potentially at middle linebacker—a role he hasn’t commanded in the NFL yet.
Overshown didn’t make the Top 10 but he did receive an honorable mention, which means he got votes in at least one ballot and probably more (since he wasn’t listed in the “also receiving votes” bucket).
“He moves like a safety. Incredibly talented,” said an anonymous NFC scout via Fowler. “I want to see how he does this year after the injuries.”
Overshown tore his left ACL in 2023 and later suffered a devastating knee injury in 2024 that included ACL, MCL, and PCL tears. He’s now fully healthy ahead of training camp after missing most of the 2025 season.
How Overshown does is massive
The biggest question surrounding the Cowboys defense is who will start at middle linebacker. According to Overshown, he’s gearing up to be the MIKE in Parker’s defense. That could change if the Cowboys sign a free agent (such as Bobby Wagner) before the season.
Even if he doesn’t take on that role, Overshown is likely going to be one of the Cowboys with the highest snap counts on defense. His profile also projects him as one of the most likely members of the defense to be a true playmaker. Excluding pass rushers, his playstyle suggests he and rookie Caleb Downs will have to be the ones making game-changing plays.
Under Mike Zimmer, Overshown was particularly effective as a blitzer, something that Parker may lean into.
It’s also a massive year financially, as this is a contract year for Overshown. With such a rocky start to his career health wise, his market value is a major question. Staying healthy and playing at a high level could get him into top-of-the-market territory.