With Micah Parsons becoming primarily an edge-rusher — though, the team is not ready to label its star sack artist a pure defensive end yet — the Cowboys needed to make adjustments at their off-ball linebacker positions. Last year, a chunk of the playing time went to veteran Anthony Barr, but the longtime Viking is no longer on the team.
Although he arrived in Dallas late in the summer, Barr played 609 defensive snaps last season and started 10 games. The Cowboys have some big-ticket payments to authorize going forward, having deals for CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs on the radar. Parsons is not yet extension-eligible, but by the time he is, the All-Pro talent will almost definitely be in the running for a defender-record contract. As such, the team is keeping its linebacker payments low.
Dallas re-signed Leighton Vander Esch this offseason, greenlighting a raise — a two-year, $11M deal — to keep the former first-round pick away from other suitors. The Steelers and Texans showed interest. While Vander Esch has extensive staring experience, the Cowboys are planning an in-house promotion for the three-down linebacking role alongside the sixth-year defender. Damone Clark is firmly on track to work as the Cowboys’ No. 2 linebacker, Jon Machota of The Athletic notes.
The Cowboys used a fifth-round pick on Clark last year, doing so despite the LSU product coming off spinal fusion surgery. Clark was not expected to play much last season, but he suited up for 10 games and made five starts. Clark played 398 defensive snaps, making 47 tackles and forcing two fumbles. Dallas confined Clark to a special teams-only role during its two playoff games, however. Pro Football Focus viewed Clark’s rookie season as a promising one, slotting him 38th among off-ball 'backers. Clark’s rookie deal runs through 2025, giving the Cowboys an opportunity to deploy low-cost option as a long-term starter on their defensive second level.
The Cowboys have notable backups at this spot as well, having used a third-round pick on DeMarvion Overshown. They also have 2021 fourth-rounder Jabril Cox on their roster. Cox sustained a torn ACL as a rookie and has only played 45 career snaps on defense, but Machota adds the team is anticipating its other LSU linebacker product will be better two seasons removed from the knee setback. The Cowboys chose Overshown 90th overall out of Texas.
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