CCBoy
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Vander Esch took the NFL by storm in 2018 after being selected 19th overall. His 140 tackles led the Cowboys and garnered him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.
Leighton Vander Esch has been a solid middle linebacker for the Cowboys since being drafted in the first round in 2018. San Francisco's offensive tackle Trent Williams shoved Vander Esch from behind and into the knees of Micah Parsons. It was a dirty play by Williams. One that needs to be firmly addressed by the Cowboys' defense when the teams play again this fall. Vander Esch would not play another down in 2023. His previous injuries were his neck and spinal attachments. That was not the case at present. His knee was injured. But there have been no reports his knee was not fully recoverable. That has only been a five year career and he had moved on from the neck area injuries.
https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-must-address-linebacker-position-this-offseason/
The biggest unknown is DeMarvion Overshown. Drafted in the third round last year the former Longhorns standout injured his knee in the preseason. His surgery appeared to go well. He is reportedly on track to return for camp. If he comes all the way back, and remains healthy, he will be a welcome addition.
The fifth man in the room is Buddy Johnson, who will be a restricted free agent in 2026. Johnson was originally drafted by the Steelers in 2021 and played in four games with just two tackles. He was not on any roster in 2022. In 2023 he signed with Dallas and saw two games, finishing with four tackles. At 24, he still has a lot of football to play, assuming he can earn his way onto the field.
There are several linebackers available in free agency this year. I have my eye on one. Baltimore's Patrick Queen.
Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
But I'm also looking at drafting a linebacker as well.
And I want Michigan's Junior Colson. At 6-3, 247 pounds he's going to be hard to block and harder to run over.
Dallas has been gashed up the middle by the run for several years. We're plugging that hole, here and now, for good.
https://insidethestar.com/stocking-the-cowboys-linebacker-room-is-a-priority-this-offseason/
It'll be interesting to see how the Cowboys address the position rather it be in free agency, the NFL draft, or both. Regardless of their plan, it's clear that the linebacker spot has to improve if this defense wants to get back to a respectable level, unlike its putrid performance this season that allowed 473 points, the most in team history.
Marquese Bell needs to put on about 20 pounds to be more than a safety this next season.
Leighton Vander Esch has been a solid middle linebacker for the Cowboys since being drafted in the first round in 2018. San Francisco's offensive tackle Trent Williams shoved Vander Esch from behind and into the knees of Micah Parsons. It was a dirty play by Williams. One that needs to be firmly addressed by the Cowboys' defense when the teams play again this fall. Vander Esch would not play another down in 2023. His previous injuries were his neck and spinal attachments. That was not the case at present. His knee was injured. But there have been no reports his knee was not fully recoverable. That has only been a five year career and he had moved on from the neck area injuries.
https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-must-address-linebacker-position-this-offseason/
The Other Three In The Room
Damone Clark will also be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. A fifth round pick in 2022, Clark came into his own in 2023, starting in all 17 games. Clark finished with 109 tackles last year and will look to be a solid contributor again in 2024.The biggest unknown is DeMarvion Overshown. Drafted in the third round last year the former Longhorns standout injured his knee in the preseason. His surgery appeared to go well. He is reportedly on track to return for camp. If he comes all the way back, and remains healthy, he will be a welcome addition.
The fifth man in the room is Buddy Johnson, who will be a restricted free agent in 2026. Johnson was originally drafted by the Steelers in 2021 and played in four games with just two tackles. He was not on any roster in 2022. In 2023 he signed with Dallas and saw two games, finishing with four tackles. At 24, he still has a lot of football to play, assuming he can earn his way onto the field.
There are several linebackers available in free agency this year. I have my eye on one. Baltimore's Patrick Queen.
Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
But I'm also looking at drafting a linebacker as well.
And I want Michigan's Junior Colson. At 6-3, 247 pounds he's going to be hard to block and harder to run over.
Dallas has been gashed up the middle by the run for several years. We're plugging that hole, here and now, for good.
https://insidethestar.com/stocking-the-cowboys-linebacker-room-is-a-priority-this-offseason/
It'll be interesting to see how the Cowboys address the position rather it be in free agency, the NFL draft, or both. Regardless of their plan, it's clear that the linebacker spot has to improve if this defense wants to get back to a respectable level, unlike its putrid performance this season that allowed 473 points, the most in team history.
Marquese Bell needs to put on about 20 pounds to be more than a safety this next season.
