One of the things to be excited about for the 2024 version of the Dallas Cowboys is the return of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. After showing flashes of what was to come in the preseason a year ago, he tore his ACL right before the regular season started, putting him on the shelf and essentially giving him a redshirt year.
As things currently sit, Overshown is ahead of schedule with his rehab, and he isn’t using his injury as an excuse to not perform in Year 2 (which is basically still Year 1 for him). When he entered the league, Overshown was 220 pounds. So, he decided to bulk up to prepare for his return, and he’s added 12-13 pounds and plans to play at around 233 or 234. Last season, the Cowboys relied on Markquese Bell to play a huge role at linebacker under Dan Quinn, but he was severely undersized, and that became an issue late in the year and into the playoffs as team physically beat up the Cowboys, especially in the run game.
With Overshown’s transformation, he looks more like an NFL linebacker now and not a safety, which he played at the University of Texas.
“I feel so much more powerful. I’m so much stronger. I feel like I have gotten faster,” Overshown said. “I feel and look like a linebacker now. I can finally stop answering the question: Are you a safety or linebacker? I’m a linebacker that played safety. Don’t get it twisted. I got my frame and I’m ready to get out there. People ain’t seen me this big. They seen a little DeeMo. They haven’t seen the big DeeMo. People are going to be scared of this DeeMo.”
Under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, Overshown will play weak side linebacker or the Will position with veteran Eric Kendricks playing the middle and Damone Clark taking up the strong side spot. Also, there’s rookie Marist Liufau that’s in the rotation along with veteran Damien Wilson, which gives the Cowboys a much better linebacker room than they had in 2023.
Having the benefit of two seasoned veterans like Kendricks and Wilson will certainly help Overshown when it comes to his preparation, and Clark who has two seasons under his belt with significant playing time. Overshown sees big things from the entire unit, and it has a lot to do with Zimmer’s style of coaching and getting them ready to be a reliable unit for the Cowboys.
“I feel like all of our linebackers can be All-Pros and Pro Bowlers,” said Overshown. “One thing I know is that run is not going to be a problem. Being around Zimmer, he loves coaching ball and we are constantly learning. One thing that I really respect about coach is he’s teaching us the ins and outs of his defense. He is going to let you know what you are not doing right and he is going to show you. I know I our defense is going to be a lot better this year.”
Overshown is an instinctive player who is at his best when he’s playing downhill and firing through gaps with his speed to make plays. Speaking of speed, that’s exactly what’s required when playing on the weak side as he’ll be asked to chase plays from the backside and also play in coverage, which he did plenty of while playing safety on the collegiate level.
Of course, all of his depends on him making a full recovery which seems to be the case barring any kind of a setback, and that has to be extremely encouraging not just for him but for Zimmer as he gets him ready to be a key piece for the Cowboys defensively this upcoming season.
