The issues at the linebacker position have been fleshed out over and over again this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys did a hideous job over the last couple of seasons, making incorrect evaluations on the trade and free agent market while dealing with injuries as well. When new defensive coordinator Christian Parker came aboard this past January, fans hoped there would be an overhaul in free agency, but that never arrived.
The team did make a couple of acquisitions during draft weekend that helped allay some concerns, trading for Dee Winters and drafting Jaishawn Barham in the third round. Adding those two to the oft-injured but high-ceiling DeMarvion Overshown gives the Cowboys a decent group who should excel thanks to the improvements up front on the defensive line. But what if there’s a surprise candidate who will end up being the leader of the resistance? What if second-year pro Shemar James ascends?
That’s the gauntlet that was laid down by former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus, in his role as a podcaster on Jeff Cavanaugh’s Trust the Tape this past weekend. In playing a name association game, Broaddus revealed that he is hearing that James is a legitimate contender to play the mike linebacker role for the Cowboys this season.
The more I hear about Shemar James, the more I’m with you on being intrigued. I honestly think Shemar James is competing for the Mike linebacker job. And I know we saw him last year get thrown into a really tough situation. The evaluations we made from Florida, maybe lacked a little instinct, plays went by [him]… Really good blitzer, can finish, can run… I think your assessment of him is absolutely correct when it comes to how fast he plays. The more I hear about Shemar James the more I’m buying into, yeah… I see it. Its not just “Oh we’re hoping here.” I think you got a guy that legitimately here, this training camp period when we’re out there watching practices, we’ll see him…
I think he’s going to be an actual piece to this defense. And I think they’re treating him that way; that they’re not just saying, “okay we’re going to give you a few reps here and there.” They’re putting him in legitimate spots to be able to function as a ballplayer who can help them win games.
The Cowboys traded up in the 2025 draft to select James out of Florida, using a sixth rounder to move up from No. 174 to No. 152 in the fifth round. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 222 pounds. James played in 14 games last season, starting six of them and turning in a solid stat line of 91 tackles with 1.5 sacks. Volume stats are normally used to evaluate players, but they can often be misleading. James struggled in both run defense and coverage, but he has amazingly quick reaction times as a foundation to what he could become under better tutelage.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys shocking contender for MLB role isn’t who fans are expecting
Reporting by K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
