The Cowboys’ defense is drawing plenty of attention before the season, and a big reason is how many unknowns are packed into that unit. Dallas has a new voice running the show in Christian Parker, who arrives after spending a few years as one of the league’s top secondary coaches under Vic Fangio in Philly. The roster has also been reshaped with additions like Caleb Downs, Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson in the secondary.
But one of the most intriguing names on the roster isn’t a newcomer at all. DeMarvion Overshown is back in the mix after a brutal knee injury late in the 2024 season wiped out most of his 2025 campaign, though he did return for six games at the end of the year.
Now Overshown is set to play mike linebacker in Parker’s defense, and he sounds fired up about what that role could mean for his production. According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, he’s expecting double-digit tackles every week.
“Most of my plays will be happening inside the box,” Overshown said. “I get right back up, call the plays and go do it again.
It's one of those things where, s**t I'm looking to average like 10 tackles a game just by being at mike, without doing all the extracurriculars. I'm excited about that.”
DeMarvion Overshown says he might average ten tackles a game playing middle linebacker. pic.twitter.com/ID81P9eRj9
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 30, 2026
Overshown gave Dallas a glimpse of what he can be before the injury. In 13 games as a rookie in 2024, he finished with 90 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and an interception. The Cowboys missed that version of him badly last season, and he wasn’t quite back to his usual explosive self when he returned.
If Parker and the Cowboys can get Overshown back to full strength, he could end up being the piece that lifts this defense. Downs, Quinnen Williams and the rest of the new faces will grab plenty of headlines, but Overshown may be the one who decides whether Dallas gets the surge it’s looking for.
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