Week 1 offered the Dallas Cowboys defense very little to feel good about. The New York Giants controlled the line of scrimmage and owned the time of possession, and the Cowboys spent most of the afternoon getting pushed around.
Jaishawn Barham was part of that rough opening stretch, which is hardly unusual for a rookie making his debut. The bigger noise came from a sideline exchange with defensive coordinator Christian Parker that spread quickly online. Barham drew criticism for showing emotion and walking away from Parker, though the organization made it clear there were no concerns and described Barham as an extremely passionate player.
Barham answered back in Week 2. Even as the defense continued to have problems, he stood out against the Washington Commanders with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. PFF graded him as the Cowboys’ top performer in that game.
That showing has pushed Barham into a notable place entering Week 3. Through two games, he owns the highest PFF grade among NFL defensive rookies at 84.8. Even more eye-catching, he’s the only rookie above an 80, with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Josiah Trotter next at 78.0.
The broader picture in Dallas still comes with plenty of growing pains. The Cowboys moved on from Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator and turned the job over to rookie Christian Parker, who is learning on the fly. That’s a tough assignment on its own, and it gets harder when the defense has been completely rebuilt from last season and is leaning on a wave of rookies.
Still, the early returns have not been empty. First-round pick Caleb Downs has been one of the bright spots, sitting third among all defensive rookies with a 75.9 PFF grade.
Malachi Lawrence has also flashed, even though his overall grade sits at 49.2. As a pass rusher, he has a 72.3 grade, which ranks 24th in the league. He has two pressures and has not yet recorded a sack, but the direction is encouraging.
The Cowboys’ defense is nowhere near finished, and the results won’t come overnight. But with Barham, Downs and a few other young pieces showing promise, there’s at least a path toward something sturdier down the road.
In Other News...
Cowboys Could Benefit From The Chargers Tight End Desperation
The Chargers tight end depth has suddenly become a problem, and that sort of roster squeeze tends to send teams searching for help wherever they can find it. With David Njoku and Charlie Kolar on injured reserve, Los Angeles is down to just one healthy tight end on the active roster in Oronde Gadsden, while the other options are practice-squad players who have yet to see game action.
For the Cowboys, that kind of urgency can create an opening. Luke Schoonmaker has surfaced as a possible trade fit for a Chargers team that needs reinforcements, and his place on Dallas depth chart and contract status make him at least worth monitoring. Nothing has been agreed to, but the connection is the kind of situation that can turn a player from roster depth into a name to watch before long. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Win Sparked An AT&T Stadium Buzz Fans Couldnt Ignore
The Cowboys Week 2 win over Washington at AT&T Stadium gave fans plenty to talk about, but so did the sideline presence of Josina Anderson. Her cheetah-print outfit drew a wave of attention on social media during the game, adding an unexpected flashpoint to a night already packed with interest around Dallas and the matchup itself.
Anderson later posted a thank-you message to the Cowboys PR staff after the game, and the response was immediate, with the post drawing more than 100,000 views along with praise from fans and fellow reporters. Dallas left the field with a 37-20 victory, while Washington also had to absorb the blow of Jayden Daniels suffering a serious arm injury, making it a night that carried plenty of conversation well beyond the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Showed Class In A Brutal Rivalry Moment
The late-afternoon trip to Washington turned into another physical chapter in a rivalry that rarely needs much help getting tense. Jayden Daniels went down late in the first half against the Cowboys and was forced out after dislocating the same elbow for the second consecutive season, a reminder of how quickly a divisional game can swing from sharp to severe. Dallas went on to win 37-20, but the bigger picture was the sight of a young quarterback leaving the field in obvious pain.
Dan Quinn confirmed afterward that the injury was a dislocation without fracture, and Marcus Mariota is expected to start until Daniels recovers. For the Cowboys, the moment carried a familiar mix of rivalry and respect, because even in a game with real stakes, there are still lines everyone recognizes. What happens next for Daniels will matter far beyond one November result, and Washington now has to wait on the next update while trying to steady itself at quarterback. [Read more 🡒]