The Dallas Cowboys were head over heels when they drafted Marist Liufau at pick No. 87 in 2024. The Notre Dame inside linebacker was a demon on the field, starting 28 games for the Irish. What he lacked in his 6-foot-2, 234-pound frame, he made up for in explosiveness and tenacity.
Liufau was a team leader both on and off the field in college and the Cowboys hoped he’d bring that knowledge and leadership to Dallas as he developed in the pros. Unfortunately, Liufau has struggled transitioning in the NFL and now faces a very uncertain and uncomfortable reality in 2026.
Year 3 is a critical year for players in the NFL. If they don’t figure things out by then, they may never figure things out. In Dallas, he’ll be tasked with figuring things out at another position entirely, with the Cowboys shifting their young linebacker from off-ball to on-ball as an outside linebacker in Christian Parker’s new 3-4 scheme.
As an outside linebacker, Liufau’s pass rushing, coverage and run fits should be somewhat simplified. It’s possible his reactionary instincts can thrive in the new role, but the transition is still significant and third-year position moves are rarely a great endorsement. With a new coaching staff in Dallas, Liufau is without the advocates that first brought him to the Cowboys. His play will have to stand on its own merit, and up until now, his play has been very disappointing.
With all of that said, Liufau’s physical skillset live up the hype. His explosiveness off the snap has been on display from the start and his sideline-to-sideline range is something worth developing. With arms over 34 inches, Liufau’s length makes him an asset in coverage if he can just take a step in his diagnostic ability. It’s do-or-die for Liufau in 2026 without even a roster spot ensured.
Whether he stays outside or moves back inside, the clock is ticking and path ahead looks treacherous
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Top-100 pick faces last-ditch position switch to save Cowboys career
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
