The Dallas Cowboys tease potential shakeup to starting lineup ahead of the preseason finale
The Dallas Cowboys are still figuring out who is starting on defense come Week 1. But their final training camp practice opened the door for a serious shakeup.
You never want to overreact to a practice, but this development certainly feels significant. On Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys held their final practice of training camp at The Star in Frisco, Texas. It was their last practice before the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints scheduled for Friday night. And of course, before roster cuts on Sunday.
Next week, it will be “Week 0” of the regular season. So anything happening Wednesday with the first team defense mattered. That’s why I believe we witnessed a potential shakeup to the starting lineup. Let’s dive in.
Two “new” starters emerge on Cowboys defense
In each of the two Cowboys team drill periods, there were a couple of changes to the starting lineup. One, rookie Jaishawn Barham started at inside linebacker alongside DeMarvion Overshown, pushing Dee Winters off the lineup. Additionally, CB Shavon Revel Jr. started at outside cornerback, with DaRon Bland on the other side.
I insist, you don’t want to overreact to a practice. Winters and Durant both rotated throughout the day on the first team defense. In other words, Barham and Revel Jr. getting the “start” on each first-team team drill won’t necessarily translate to a final decision on who starts.
But at the very least, it does seem like the door is open for each.
Revel Jr. brings upside to the CB room
Revel Jr. has been a PBU magnet all of camp and in (very) limited playing time, he’s stood out in the preseason. He’s been competitive against George Pickens, who is on a meteoric rise among NFL wide receivers. In the opener against the Seattle Seahawks, he showed impressive coverage and tackling in zone. Last week, he intercepted Gardner Minshew.
The man to beat at cornerback is Cobie Durant, who has been very consistent as the veteran of the two. I expect this competition to continue even in the regular season. But Revel Jr. has a chance to win the starting job.
For what it’s worth, Durant did get the practice start on Wednesday.
A rookie MIKE?
Barham getting the nod over Winters in each team drill period is telling because it won’t be easy for the Cowboys to start a rookie at a position as important as middle linebacker. He wouldn’t be getting a chance if it was ruled out, though.
As far as Week 1 goes, my money is on Winters and Overshown being on the field. But Barham’s snap count will be significant. And if he proves he can translate his shockingly good preseason play to the regular season, it might not be long before his playing time shoots through the roof.
One thing I’ll say is I genuinely appreciate the meritocracy here from head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s regime. A third-round rookie getting first-team snaps at MIKE? He’s earned them. And it’s good the Cowboys aren’t shying away from it just because of his limited experience. If he’s their best guy, he’s their best guy. Period.
