Cowboys' 2024 Breakout Player: DeMarvion Overshown

The Dallas Cowboys had expectations for rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown last season. The former Texas standout unfortunately suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury during the second preseason game, ending his first campaign before it truly began. Now healthy and recovered, Overshown appears primed for a breakout season.

The Cowboys selected Overshown with the No. 90 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Then defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had plans for him. Dallas' decision-makers understandably fell in love with Overshown throughout the pre-draft process.

Overshown was outstanding at Texas as a super senior in 2022. He posted career-highs in tackles (96), tackles for loss (10), and sacks (4.0). Overshown also added five pass breakups to his impressive defensive totals en route to earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Then came the pre-draft testing process. Overshown proved to be an elite athlete by running the 40 in a blazing-quick 4.56 seconds. Overshown also had a 10-foot-4 broad jump and a 36.5-inch vertical, capturing a Relative Athletic Score of 8.07.

Damone Clark was the most-snapped linebacker on the roster last season, and he returns in his starring role. Safety-turned-linebacker Markquese Bell filled in at linebacker last season and was a complete revelation. Bell earned an elite coverage grade of 87.6 from Pro Football Focus for his performances, paired with a stellar overall score of 80.0. He finished the campaign as PFF's fifth-highest-graded linebacker in coverage. Somewhat surprisingly, Bell is listed at safety, not linebacker, on Dallas’ first unofficial depth chart of the season.

The Cowboys have undergone some changes at linebacker this offseason too. Leighton Vander Esch was placed on IR in October after suffering a season-ending neck injury. Vander Esch was released from his contract earlier this summer despite signing a two-year extension last offseason. The former first-round pick announced his retirement in March due to medical reasons.

The Cowboys also signed veteran 32-year-old linebacker Eric Kendricks in free agency. A 2019 Pro Bowler, Kendricks was released by the Los Angeles Chargers in March. The Cowboys signed him roughly one week later, and he projects as an early-down starter in base defense.

With Clark and Kendricks locked into roles, Overshown’s biggest competitor is a rookie. The Cowboys drafted former Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau with their third-round pick (87th overall). In another unofficial depth chart surprise, Liufau is listed ahead of Overshown as a starter. Nothing has been decided and both inexperienced players will jockey for reps throughout the remaining portion of training camp and the preseason.

Overshown is also acclimating to changes in Mike McCarthy's coaching staff. Quinn is no longer the DC after accepting an offer to become the Washington Commanders' head coach. McCarthy replaced him with veteran defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who brings intensity to the defense.

Overshown deserves patience. He's roughly 11 months removed from an ACL injury and finds himself in a positional battle with Liufau. Expect Overshown to develop as the season progresses. He possesses the skill set required and pathway to relevance to enjoy a breakout year.