Rookie Review: Shemar James Shows Promise Amid Growing Pains in Year One
For a fifth-round pick, Shemar James gave the Cowboys something to think about in his rookie campaign. While the season had its fair share of ups and downs, James ended the year looking more like a player who belongs - and one who could be a key piece in a linebacker group still searching for answers.
Let’s start with the raw numbers: 542 snaps, 91 total tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble. He was targeted 37 times in coverage and allowed 35 receptions - not ideal, but those numbers don’t tell the full story.
He also missed seven tackles, which points to one of the biggest areas for improvement. But perhaps the most telling stat?
A 71.3 pass-rush grade. That’s where he flashed real upside.
James’ season didn’t start with a bang. In fact, it didn’t start at all - he was inactive for the first three games.
But once he got on the field, he made his presence felt in a hurry. Week 5 against the Jets was his breakout moment: 15 tackles, leading the team, and setting a franchise rookie record in the process.
It was the kind of performance that makes coaches take notice - and fans start asking, “Who is this guy?”
For a few weeks after that, James looked like a spark plug for a defense that sorely needed one. He was aggressive, fast to the ball, and played with the kind of energy that jumps off the screen. He earned starts, logged heavy snaps, and for a moment, looked like a midseason steal.
But like many rookies, the league adjusted - and James had to adjust back. That’s where things got rocky.
Offenses began to exploit Dallas’ linebacker unit, and James’ inexperience started to show. His run fits were inconsistent, his angles to the ball carrier weren’t always sharp, and the missed tackles started to pile up.
His defensive role shrank - from 66 snaps in Week 7 to just six by Week 14. During that stretch, he was more of a special teams contributor than a defensive mainstay.
Then came December, and with it, another opportunity. The linebacker group around him faltered, and the coaching staff turned back to James. He responded by starting six games, including the Christmas Day win over Washington and the regular-season finale against New York, where he was back to playing full-time snaps.
The film from those final weeks tells a different story than the early-season tape. He still had some hiccups in coverage and tackling, but he looked more composed - more in control. The game seemed to slow down for him just a bit, and that’s often the first sign that a young linebacker is starting to figure things out.
So what’s the outlook heading into 2026?
James has the traits you want: range, toughness, and a nose for the ball. He’s already handled a starter’s workload, and he’s shown the ability to make impact plays when he’s locked in. The next step is about consistency - cleaning up the missed tackles, tightening up his run fits, and becoming more reliable in coverage.
If he can do that, he’s got a real shot to carve out a long-term role in a linebacker room that, frankly, is wide open. The Cowboys need someone to step up. James showed enough flashes in Year One to suggest he could be that guy.