The situation at linebacker

[CCBoy]

Role Call: Mogensen adds production & experience​

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/role-call-mogensen-adds-production-experience

How He Got Here: Mogensen spent six years at South Dakota, becoming one of the top defensive players, not only in school history, but in the entire FCS. Mogensen earned MVFC (Missouri Valley Football Conference) As the team captain, he earned four different All-American selections last year and finished 11th in the Buck Buchanan voting for the nation's top defensive player. He had 113 tackles, which also ranked 15th nationally. Over his time at USD, Mogensen played five seasons as the school didn't play any games during 2020. He finished just one tackle shy of the 400-tackle mark, finishing his career with 399.

What's Next: Last year, the Cowboys saw a fullback from North Dakota State make the roster as an undrafted free agent. Mogensen is trying to do the same from South Dakota. The difference for Mogensen is that he joins a linebacker group that certainly needed to improve from last year. He'll have to compete with other youngsters such as DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liafau, but the production Mogensen showed in his career means he's a good tackler. That kind of ability must show out on special teams, where rookie linebackers often shine the most.

Did You Know: Since the school returned playing football in 2021, Mogensen never missed a game, starting 40 straight games at linebacker.

 

[CCBoy]

Role Call: Jason Johnson brings run-stop reliability​

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/role-call-jason-johnson-brings-run-stop-reliability

How He Got Here: Originally from a southern suburb of Chicago, Johnson began his collegiate football career at Eastern Illinois where he was a two-time FCS All-American and a tackling machine during his three seasons with the Panthers. He then hit the transfer portal as one of the hotter commodities from the FCS ranks and landed with UCF where he played two seasons. Those two years saw him total 240 tackles including 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. His presence as a commanding MIKE linebacker gave him some draft buzz, but the 6-foot-2, 235-pounder instead went undrafted where the Cowboys were able to rein in his services.

What's Next: There's no question that there was a huge absence of healthy bodies at the linebacker position for the large majority of the season after Leighton Vander Esch went down with injury, and the Cowboys' front office used quite a bit of resources to fill out the depth of that position group this offseason. That includes Johnson, while he may be looking behind other new additions such as Eric Kendricks and Marist Liufau, he will have an opportunity in the preseason to show that he can be relied upon on special teams and as a reliable run-fit linebacker that can come in if an injury arises to the group in front of him.

Did You Know: Johnson's career mark of 8.73 tackles per game ranked fifth among all active NCAA players at the time of his graduation from UCF. His tackling production awarded him a second-team All-Big 12 honor in 2023 for the Knights.

 

[CCBoy]

Draft class showing merit in Bowl Game:

Oluwafemi Oladejo – LB (UCLA) - Among possibly the strongest position group on Senior Bowl rosters, it was a surprise to see Oladejo jump off the defensive line tape like he did. A converted middle linebacker during his time at UCLA, made the move to full-time edge at the end of his career and showcased his pass rush ability at a high level throughout the week.

Friday's practice was dominated by Oladejo as he set the tone for the entire defensive line unit and was named the defensive line's practice player of the week. You can read about his practice performances in our Day 3 practice notebook. Then, he followed with two sacks in the Senior Bowl

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/high-5-rising-stocks-from-senior-bowl-shrine-bowl

 

[CCBoy]

Chandler Martin – LB (Memphis) - Throughout the season, the Memphis Tigers were more-so known for their offensive prowess, despite the incredible production from Martin at linebacker. He finished as a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection and the defensive MVP of the 2025 Frisco Bowl.

He stepped into Shrine Bowl week and began with an interception in coverage against Miami receiver Sam Brown on the first day. A little undersized, he's shown an ability to tackle consistently, cover consistently, and perform against a higher level of competition like Florida State, West Virginia, and the players in the East-West Shrine Bowl. That's a pretty good trio.

The East roster dominated the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl, winning 25-0 in the first shutout that the all-star game has seen since 1969.

 

[CCBoy]

Round 4: LB Barrett Carter, Clemson​

With DeMarvion Overshown set to miss at least most of the 2025 season and Erik Kendricks a free agent, Dallas is going to need to add linebackers who can see the field. Free agency will be the move here, but adding a mid-round linebacker with the traits to contribute as a rookie is imperative. Carter is a multi-tool athlete who can pressure the QB and adeptly drop into coverage, while being a sure tackler.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...banks-nolen-henderson/?itm_source=parsely-api

 

[CCBoy]

Base 4-3 D

Strongside Linebacker	Marist Liufau	DeMarvion Overshown	—
Middle Linebacker	Eric Kendricks	Buddy Johnson	Darius Harris
Weakside Linebacker	Nick Vigil	Damone Clark	Brock Mogensen

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/DAL/dallas-cowboys/depth-chart/

 

[StarBoyz83]

For sure need to resign kendricks

 

[CCBoy]

Depth at Linebacker: A Sweeping Improvement for the Cowboys Defense​

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/08/11/dallas-cowboys-defense-linebackers-2024/

Returning Cowboys Linebackers​

There are two guys set to return that everyone will recognize–Damone Clark and Micah Parsons.

Both of these guys are young. This will be Clark’s third year with the Cowboys and the fourth year for Parsons. Each of them bring different talents to the table for this defense to use.

Clark brings amazingly consistent talent. Over the last season, he had 70 solo tackles and 7.5 stuffs. He also played in every game this past year, showing he gained the trust of the previous defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn. The current linebacker coach, Scott McCurley, mentioned Clark in high regard in a recent interview. He believes Clark “is showing up in the run game a little bit more . . . using his pads, and it’s just, his trajectory is going here [upward] now”. This will be pivotal to the Cowboys’ strategy this year, as stopping the run game was a weakness last year.


Parsons is a power player that the new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, is very excited to use this season. Zimmer mentioned in a press conference that he believes Parsons could play any position on defense. Clearly, he values Parsons talent and hopes to have him all over the field in multiple coverages. In the 2023 season, Parsons was known more as an EDGE rusher, creating big plays by sacking the quarterback. But now, he could be called to more dynamic playmaking all over the field, from sacks to stuffs.

But that’s not all. Another player coming off of injury could be making noise for this Cowboys defense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

At a minimum the Cowboys need to bring Kendricks back for another year, likely add another vet and draft one fairly early.

I'd rather have one to many than be one short going into training camp.

 

[CCBoy]

Third-round pick Marist Liufau is a rookie this season out of Notre Dame. During training camp, McCurley applauded Liufau with high praise:

“Yeah I think, Marist, it’s going to be exciting to see him grow. The way he competes, the way he gets after the ball. You know, the 1 on 1 stuff he brings, to getting off blocks, defeating blocks, a little bit of the pass rush stuff. I’m excited to see where that comes along.”

If he can stay consistent, he might even get a few minutes of time in the regular season.

Last but not least, by any stretch, is Eric Kendricks. The 10-year veteran has never had a poor season. In 2023, he managed nearly 80 solo tackles, almost four sacks, nine stuffs, and six pass deflections. He’s an all-around beast to add to the team. His play and leadership will be ample in getting this Cowboys defense into shape before the season starts.

(expectations before 2024)

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/08/11/dallas-cowboys-defense-linebackers-2024/

 

[calicowboy54]

For sure need to resign kendricks

he did great last year... i'd sign him for a few more years. give him like a 2 year contract with team option for 3rd to give him and his family some stability and not traveling all over the country on 1 year deals

 

[CCBoy]

Positional rank for 2025 Draft​

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...tion-luther-burden-ashton-jeanty-tyler-warren

​

LINEBACKER​

1. Jalon Walker, Georgia
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
4. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
5. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
6. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
7. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
8. Barrett Carter, Clemson
9. Jay Higgins, Iowa
10. Kobe King, Penn State

Linebacker is another one of the Cowboys offseason roster "needs". With Eric Kendricks potentially leaving via free agency and DeMarvion Overshown 2025 season in jeopardy due to another season-ending injury, drafting one of the Top 10 LBs is a possibility.

 

[Carson]

Positional rank for 2025 Draft​

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...tion-luther-burden-ashton-jeanty-tyler-warren

​

LINEBACKER​

1. Jalon Walker, Georgia
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
4. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
5. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
6. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
7. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
8. Barrett Carter, Clemson
9. Jay Higgins, Iowa
10. Kobe King, Penn State

Linebacker is another one of the Cowboys offseason roster "needs". With Eric Kendricks potentially leaving via free agency and DeMarvion Overshown 2025 season in jeopardy due to another season-ending injury, drafting one of the Top 10 LBs is a possibility.

Bassa is my guy.

Former safety turned linebacker, will play ILB and is a true leader.

He is going to have the Ivan Pace trajectory. Just a ball player and leader

 

[Chuck 54]

Round 4: LB Barrett Carter, Clemson​

With DeMarvion Overshown set to miss at least most of the 2025 season and Erik Kendricks a free agent, Dallas is going to need to add linebackers who can see the field. Free agency will be the move here, but adding a mid-round linebacker with the traits to contribute as a rookie is imperative. Carter is a multi-tool athlete who can pressure the QB and adeptly drop into coverage, while being a sure tackler.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...banks-nolen-henderson/?itm_source=parsely-api

I keep reading lots of scouting reports where those watching Carter's tape are very frustrated with him. They claim he is an excellent athlete, but that he has no instincts for the position, that he is slow to react and slow to find the ball, that sometimes the ball goes right by him while he's trying to figure out where the play is.

BTW, thanks for sharing all of this LB work. It's looking like this is a really weak year for true off the ball LBs, so we may need to do something in Free Agency like last year, hopefully resign Kendricks or someone like him.

 

[CCBoy]

Rating of free agent linebackers

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-free-agent-rankings-linebackers

1. LB Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers​

2. LB Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs​

3. LB Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders​

4. LB Ernest Jones, Seattle Seahawks​

5. LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles​

6. LB Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets​

7. LB Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers​

8. LB Robert Spillane, Las Vegas Raiders​

9. LB Tyrel Dodson, Miami Dolphins​

10. LB Eric Kendricks, Dallas Cowboys​

 

[John813]

Just looking at the FA list and any former linebackers with our coaches.

Cody Barton was in Seattle to start his career. 2019-22
Brian Schott, Andre Curtis and Nick Sorensen were coaches there for 2 years IIRC with Barton.

Nicholas Morrow will be a UFA. Dallas has flirted with him in the past. Was in Chicago with Matt E.

 

[shabazz]

For sure need to resign kendricks

This is both true and sad at the same time.

A few here tried to convince me that our LB Corp was going to be an area of strenf here......

but we all know that Overshown was injury prone and he didn't disappoint

Liufau was ranked 153 out of 189 LBs last season

Damone Clark couldn't break 70 in pff last season. 16 solo tackles half a sack...all season

Nick Vigil pff of 48.....nuff said.

Yeah, this "area of strenf" needs to resign soon to be 33 years old Eric Kendricks

 

[CCBoy]

This is both true and sad at the same time.

A few here tried to convince me that our LB Corp was going to be an area of strenf here......

but we all know that Overshown was injury prone and he didn't disappoint

Liufau was ranked 153 out of 189 LBs last season

Damone Clark couldn't break 70 in pff last season. 16 solo tackles half a sack...all season

Nick Vigil pff of 48.....nuff said.

Yeah, this "area of strenf" needs to resign soon to be 33 years old Eric Kendricks

They all toss quarters at the curb? They can't improved as a group? Wrong stats, huh?

3rd year player with injuries and a 2nd year linebacker that got playing experience. Ever been a developmental leader, trained upon those strengths?

Oh, I get it...

 

[gtb1943]

Kendricks I think we definitely need back; Liafu frustrated me early on but he learned more discipline and was really looking good the last few games of the season. Clark has been demonized for some bad games but has talent. That injury to Overshown might end his career. ANd he was injured the year before so counting on him right now is not smart.
depending on that they do with micah, we do have some talent there. I personally think we need two more good players in FA and if we can get some help in the draft do it. BUT the key to making this defense into a real D that a contender needs will be the DEFENSIVE LINE.

 

[cowboyec]

jack kiser,notre dame.
•smart
•tough
•physical