Machota: Cowboys 2026 potential starting defense

[stilltheguru]

You don’t know that. They just said yesterday they’re still open to the idea of acquiring another LB. The reason it hasn’t happened already is bc Miami is wishing for post June 1st. Same thing Philly is doing w Brown.

I mean, it doesn't even make sense from a team building standpoint which is why the niners traded Winters. But think what you want. And acquire could mean a mid free agent which is probably what they would do.

 

[ScotsCowboy]

Doesn'tlook good. Downs at Nickle. only 1 starter from the rookies, does t look promising. Looks like we have a bunch of no names on D

How has it taken me this long to put you on the ignore list?

 

[JBS]

I mean, it doesn't even make sense from a team building standpoint which is why the niners traded Winters. But think what you want. And acquire could mean a mid free agent which is probably what they would do.

How does it not make sense from a team building perspective? You think the Cowboys and 49ers are in the same boat at ILB? Let me be the first to inform you that they are not.

 

[stilltheguru]

How does it not make sense from a team building perspective? You think the Cowboys and 49ers are in the same boat at ILB? Let me be the first to inform you that they are not.

If a team sees themselves as having 2 starting linebackers does it make sense to trade for a 3rd starting inside backers. Yes or no?

 

[Kingofholland]

Add Winter....LBer

Other LB spot seems like it will be Winters or Barham. Not to say they won't look at additional options but it would be odd to me acquiring them and not having them compete for a LB spot.

 

[nalam]

I hate Malik hooker

Hooker was good but past his prime , we are always too late to find replacements

 

[JBS]

If a team sees themselves as having 2 starting linebackers does it make sense to trade for a 3rd starting inside backers. Yes or no?

Depends how critical the Mike position is to CP. Overshown hasn’t shown any ability to play a full season. Winters also isn’t a top end starter. He’s a guy that’s functional. If CP is content with that then sure but if not, I wouldn’t be shocked if they wanted to add more at LB. I’m not sitting here saying they will acquire Brooks, I also think it’s unlikely but I’m not slamming the door shut on the idea.

Nick Harris has been quite clear that their plan for Winters is to primarily use him on run downs and minimize his use in coverage. That doesn’t sound like a full time Lb to me.

 

[gtb1943]

Depends how critical the Mike position is to CP. Overshown hasn’t shown any ability to play a full season. Winters also isn’t a top end starter. He’s a guy that’s functional. If CP is content with that then sure but if not, I wouldn’t be shocked if they wanted to add more at LB. I’m not sitting here saying they will acquire Brooks, I also think it’s unlikely but I’m not slamming the door shut on the idea.

Nick Harris has been quite clear that their plan for Winters is to primarily use him on run downs and minimize his use in coverage. That doesn’t sound like a full time Lb to me.

Funny how Winters was praised for his coverage in the niners forums
they certainly know a lot about how a good defense should look

Winters looked MORE than functional last season.

Fact is that the niners have an excellent LB room and he was excess

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Personally I think the depth chart will look like this:

Edge: Donovan Ezeiruaku-James Houston
DE: Quinnen Williams-LT Overton
NT: Kenny Clark-Jay Toia
DE: Otito Ogbonnia-Jonathan Bullard
Edge: Rashan Gary-Malachi Lawrence-Sam Williams

LB: DeMarvion Overshown-Shamar James
LB: Dee Winters-Jaishawn Barham

CB: Daron Bland-Devin Moore
CB: Shavon Revel-Caelon Carson-Derion Kendrick
Slot: Caleb Downs-Cobie Durant
S: Jalen Thompson-Markquese Bell
S: Malik Hooker- P.J. Locke

I know I listed 12 spots instead of 11, but since the Cowboys will use multiple fronts and any mix of these players will be out there at any given time.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Safeties and defensive tackles look strong.

Gary has no Micah to lean on for any edge pressure/sack production.
Agreed that 2nd level/offball LB desperately needs Brooks.

Corner best summed up as Revels hopeful return to full health and second year leap along with Bland's fingers crossed uncertainty from injury return.
I do like Durant as the possible slot corner who they never replaced since Lewis left.

Why does everyone keep saying Micah made Gary? Gary played better before Micah got there.

 

[JBS]

Funny how Winters was praised for his coverage in the niners forums
they certainly know a lot about how a good defense should look

Winters looked MORE than functional last season.

Fact is that the niners have an excellent LB room and he was excess

Correct but Nick Harris has been bang on w his reporting. I don’t think he’s wrong on this one

 

[stilltheguru]

Why does everyone keep saying Micah made Gary? Gary played better before Micah got there.

Gary went 7 straight games without a sack before micah got hurt. The legend of micah is just a flat out lie and propaganda.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Depends how critical the Mike position is to CP. Overshown hasn’t shown any ability to play a full season. Winters also isn’t a top end starter. He’s a guy that’s functional. If CP is content with that then sure but if not, I wouldn’t be shocked if they wanted to add more at LB. I’m not sitting here saying they will acquire Brooks, I also think it’s unlikely but I’m not slamming the door shut on the idea.

Nick Harris has been quite clear that their plan for Winters is to primarily use him on run downs and minimize his use in coverage. That doesn’t sound like a full time Lb to me.

Well let’s also be honest on Overshown. We don’t trust him but they very well expect for him to play the majority of the season. If they didn’t they would cut him. They expect Overshown to start for them.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Gary went 7 straight games without a sack before micah got hurt. The legend of micah is just a flat out lie and propaganda.

Yeah they keep saying he got exposed when Micah got hurt. That guy was solid prior to him getting there.

 

[JBS]

Well let’s also be honest on Overshown. We don’t trust him but they very well expect for him to play the majority of the season. If they didn’t they would cut him. They expect Overshown to start for them.

They would cut him? What are you taking about lol

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

They would cut him? What are you taking about lol

I’m saying if they didn’t believe or expect him to play a full season they would’ve got rid of him or moved on. Cowboys MO is it regardless of history they treat you as you will be playing most of the games. We saw it with Sean Lee. They never operated as if Sean Lee was injury prone or hurt. Same goes for LVE and Jaylon.

 

[JBS]

I’m saying if they didn’t believe or expect him to play a full season they would’ve got rid of him or moved on. Cowboys MO is it regardless of history they treat you as you will be playing most of the games. We saw it with Sean Lee. They never operated as if Sean Lee was injury prone or hurt. Same goes for LVE and Jaylon.

Yeah, well not planning for injury prone players to miss games is stupid. That’s ridiculous. And no, they wouldn’t cut DMo if they expected him to miss some games. That’s also stupid. DMo for 10 games is better than 0 games.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yeah, well not planning for injury prone players to miss games is stupid. That’s ridiculous. And no, they wouldn’t cut DMo if they expected him to miss some games. That’s also stupid. DMo for 10 games is better than 0 games.

You’re arguing about what’s stupid and what’s not. I’m telling you what I expect from this team which is what I’ve witnessed from them. And if Overshown plays 10 games this year I think they’d be ok with that unless it’s a season ending injury. Everything that’s been reported is that they plan on re-signing him which is why you saw them handle the draft like they did. They are operating as if Revel and Overshown are gonna be healthy. If they trade for Brooks I’ll change my stance on that.

 

[Parcells4Life]

Add Winter....LBer

Finally a writer that gets it right! Most media is putting a 3-4 out there with a nickel corner. Very few true 3-4 snaps will be seen. 4-2-5/3-3-5 will be the majority of snaps.

 

[jazzcat22]

They're not trading for brooks. Winters is a starting lb in the NFL. You can disagree with that if you want but it's a fact that Dallas isn't trading for Brooks.

Right.
That ship sailed after Barham was selected, and the trade for Winter.
Not sure why some are still wanting this. And they do not have the draft capital to trade for anyone. Even though the FO say they are not done with the defense yet.

in 2027, the draft picks are, 1, 2, 3, 6, 6. They will not get any comp picks from the last I seen. They signed 3 players that qualified for the other team to get a comp pick, if they do, but lost no one of significance to offset those.