The linebacker position in Dallas is expected to be highly competitive. Now that the team has completed the install phases of the offseason program, the next hurdle is moving to playing speed and training camp at the end of July. That’s going to be a major leap for the competition at inside linebacker in Christian Parker’s new 3-4 defense.
One player to keep an eye on is UDFA and former Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson. He played in 13 games, racking up 69 tackles (27 solo tackles), along with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack while with the Commodores. In a normal situation, his chances would be limited, but the wide-open nature of the team’s rebuild at the position means he has a shot to stick.
Langston Patterson Pro Day Measurement
HT: 6-foot-0 1/2″
WT: 229 pounds
Arm Length: 32″
Bench press: 20 reps
Vertical Jump: 36 1/2″ inches
Broad Jump: 102.0 ” inches
40-yard dash: 4.66 seconds
10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
20-yard split: 4.40 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.38 seconds
Games Watched: vs Mizzou & Auburn
Strengths
Watching Patterson’s film reveals an ability to cover ground and drop back to make tackles. As a smart and resilient linebacker with exceptional play-recognition and tackling instincts, Patterson’s film from Vanderbilt’s game against Missouri highlights his impressive lateral quickness and pursuit depth, especially during crucial third-down situations. In the end, his combination of quick processing and physical urgency establishes him as a dependable defender who consistently controls the middle of the field.
Weaknesses
His sub-230-pound frame remains his biggest hurdle, as he can get engulfed by climbing offensive linemen and struggles to shed blocks once bigger bodies lock into his chest. This lack of functional sand in his pants shows up when teams run directly at him, occasionally forcing him to give up ground at the point of attack rather than anchoring and filling his gap cleanly.
Where does he fit on the Dallas Cowboys?
With Dee Winters coming over via trade and already bringing 17 games of starting experience from San Francisco, the expected fully healthy offseason for DeMarvion Overshown, plus the Cowboys spending a third-round pick (92nd overall) on an ultra-competitive, downhill thumper like Jaishawn Barham, the top of the off-ball linebacker depth chart is effectively locked down. For a guy like Patterson, trying to crack that rotation directly is a mountain to climb, but he could find a place as depth.
To separate himself from a veteran like Curtis Robinson and a second-year player like Justin Barron, Patterson’s calling card has to be special teams. Because his light frame can get exposed in standard defensive sets, covering kicks and punts is where his best traits can actually shine. In space, he doesn’t have to take on 310-pound blockers head-on. Instead, he can use that elite play recognition and natural diagnostic speed to slice through blocks, find the returner, and make plays.
If he flies around during training camp and flashes that high-motor, sure-tackling ability in the preseason, he makes a compelling case for the staff to keep him around. A year on the practice squad could be what the doctor ordered. It gives him a redshirt year to hit the NFL weight room, add missing functional strength to his frame, and refine his coverage eyes without forcing him into the fire too early.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Can Cowboys UDFA signing overcome two 3rd-round picks on depth chart?
Reporting by Kenneth Ball, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kenneth Ball, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
