Did Cowboys Reach on Shemar James?

[quickccc]

James' scouting profile puts me in the mind of Damon Clark. has athleticism but there''s suspect instincts.

That spells a guesser who will always be in the wrong angle, struggles getting off blocks, never makes big plays
and always trailing the play.

 

[CCBoy]

Which is why drafting for scheme fit over superior talent is stupid

How about purchasing a 350 block for a pinto?

 

[CCBoy]

Jack Sanborn
Signed from the Chicago Bears, Sanborn is familiar with Eberflus’ defensive scheme.

Sanborn’s role in Chicago diminished from a full-time starter in 2023 to starting only three of 17 games in 2024. He recorded 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

2025 Projection:

Tackles: 80
Sacks: 2
Pass Breakups: 4

https://insidethestar.com/2025-cowboys-linebackers-starters-and-breakout-talent

 

[CCBoy]

Marist Liufau​

A third-round pick in 2024, Liufau showed promise in his rookie season, pushing Damone Clark down the depth chart.

He is expected to take on a more significant role in 2025.

2025 Projection:

• Tackles: 65
• Sacks: 1
• TFLs: 6

Damone Clarke
After starting all 17 games in 2023, Clark saw reduced playing time in 2024.

With a new defensive coordinator, he aims to regain a prominent role in the rotation.

2025 Projections:

Tackles: 50
Special Teams Snaps: 150+

DeMarvion Overshown
Overshown suffered a severe knee injury in December 2024, tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL. Before the injury, Overshown was the second-best player on the Cowboys’ defense.

https://insidethestar.com/2025-cowboys-linebackers-starters-and-breakout-talent

 

[CCBoy]

Kenneth Murray Jr.​

Acquired from the Tennessee Titans, Murray brings leadership and experience to the Cowboys. In 2024, he led the Titans with 95 tackles and served as a team captain.

 

[Pass2Run]

Kenneth Murray Jr.​

Acquired from the Tennessee Titans, Murray brings leadership and experience to the Cowboys. In 2024, he led the Titans with 95 tackles and served as a team captain.

Murray is probably the best athlete on our team, cept maybe Parsons.

I have a feeling he outplays expectations here...

 

[America's Cowboy]

I would've taken Neal.

I would have rather taken LB Chris Paul Jr who was taken during the compensatory picks at the end of the 5th round. CP Jr plays more aggressive than Shemar James. They both have similar size: 6'1", 230'ish. CP Jr is a little faster (4.63) than Shemar James (4.69). Chris Paul Jr had way more total tackles (50) than Shemar James did (34) in 2024.



I think the Cowboys messed up picking Shemar James over Chris Paul Jr in the 5th round.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

So many dudes I would have taken a flyer on instead of Shemar James:

LB - Jeffrey Bassa
TE/H - Orande Gadsden
WR - Tory Horton
DT - JJ Pegues
S - Jaylen Reed
RB - Kyle Mullings

et cetera

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I heard somewhere (I can't remember where) that when the Cowboys interviewed Shemar James that he didn't know what basic keys to look for in reading the defense. So they think he is someone that will blossom with pro coaching.

 

[Cowboyny]

I don't have a problem with James. That said, I really like Blue as well. My biggest issue with James is the cost they spent to go get him.

I kinda feel like drafting a guy like Devin Neal would have been a better choice.

Can someone sell me on James over a guy like Neal?

Eberflus overdrafted Hitchens years ago and he became a solid starter.

 

[phildadon86]

https://cowboyszone.com/threads/lb-shemar-james-florida.534527/

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/shemar-james/32004a41-4d59-2520-7cc7-2ea293c03c33

Overview​

James flashes speed but has never really developed the recognition and response talent to chalk up playmaking production. He has some twitch in his movement and does a nice job of working past blocks, but he might not be able to anticipate with enough consistency to play ahead of NFL blocking schemes. James is athletic in space and can play special teams, but he might never be more than an average backup.

Strengths​

• Scrapes quickly with rapid-fire slide steps.
• Weaves around traffic in pursuit of the football.
• Plays downhill and physically.
• Uses hands and body-turn to fight around blocks.
• Elusive and urgent as a blitzer.
• Four-phase special teams experience.

Weaknesses​

• Tackle production does not stand out (165 in three seasons).
• Below-average instincts and diagnosing quickness.
• Inconsistent to see past blocks and key the play.
• Shallow angles in pursuit leave him short.
• Failure to wrap up ball-carrier leads to misses.

Just waiting for our fans on here to compare him to Urlacher. Because. Why not lol

 

[Havic]

Not all RBs fit the scheme. They picked the guys they felt fit best.

This thinking is why we passed on tj watt. You adjust your scheme to fit the player, granted this is in the 5th round, but it’s how we got taco

 

[baltcowboy]

Shamar can’t even legally drink alcohol yet. He is a developmental linebacker. Who knows what he can be with two years of coaching from Eberflus. The Cowboys took a flyer on his youth.

 

[CCBoy]

DeMarvion Overshown shares a realization that new Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus should be paying close attention to​

Like a little kid counting down the days to open the gifts under the Christmas tree, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will have to wait to deploy one of the most talented players on the roster, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. And when he does, it'll be very intriguing how exactly does he use him.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...e_paying_close_attention_to/s1_17313_42217286

 

[John813]

It's a day 3 pick. While he wasn't my #1 choice, it's a pick based off potential and hoping it clicks for him.

Luckily, he won't be forced into the lineup, and he can develop without being thrown into the fire.

 

[CCBoy]

It's a day 3 pick. While he wasn't my #1 choice, it's a pick based off potential and hoping it clicks for him.

Luckily, he won't be forced into the lineup, and he can develop without being thrown into the fire.

He'll become a linebacker here, alright.

 

[Coogiguy03]

About 24% blitzes, so not exactly rare.


This reminds me of Devin Harper .. scratching my head...like why trade up?

He's less athletic than Harper. Runs a 4.69 40, so basically 4.7.

Special teams ace

 

[deerhunter11]

He was picked in the 5th so can’t really be a reach. Shotty knows him well so I’m guessing he spoke for him

Schottenheimer must have a plan for Shemar James, he is just 20 years old.He has time to put on weight ,he looks like a good blitzing Lb,and he's a solid tackler.On film he looks like he has a nose for the football.

 

[Proof]

About 24% blitzes, so not exactly rare.


This reminds me of Devin Harper .. scratching my head...like why trade up?

He's less athletic than Harper. Runs a 4.69 40, so basically 4.7.

was an odd move. there was obviously something they really liked though, so hopefully it translates.

 

[Desperado]

I think by the 5th round, you aren’t really looking for the 15th best LB by stack rank so much as finding traits that could turn into the better player over time. Plus, he has lots of ST exp that can be used early. I dont think any player is a reach once you get in the 150th pick range.