The Curious Case of Marist Liufau

Underused and Underappreciated

Liufau has appeared in just 22% of Dallas’s defensive snaps, a staggeringly low number for a player who has consistently flashed potential.

When he’s been on the field, he’s shown a knack for finding the football, whether shooting gaps in run support, closing on ball carriers in space, or dropping into zone coverage with discipline.

His instincts, a key reason the Cowboys drafted him, have translated well at the professional level.

Where Liufau’s impact has been most visible is on special teams.

He’s made a play seemingly every week, forcing fumbles, making tackles inside the 20, and bringing an energy that the rest of the unit feeds off of.

That kind of hustle and production usually earns a young player more responsibility on defense, yet Liufau has remained buried on the depth chart.

For a team that’s struggled to stop the run and maintain consistency at linebacker, not giving Liufau more reps is becoming increasingly indefensible.

Buried in the Depth Chart

The issue isn’t that Liufau hasn’t earned his place; it’s that the Cowboys’ linebacker room is crowded, and the coaching staff seems hesitant to shake up the hierarchy.

Kenneth Murray has taken on the role of every-down linebacker despite inconsistent play and struggles diagnosing run fits. He’s athletic but often over-pursues, creating open lanes for opposing running backs.

Jack Sanborn, while steady and physical, has limitations in coverage that have been exposed against quicker offenses.

Now, things are only getting more complicated.

DeMarvion Overshown has returned from injury, adding another athletic body to the rotation, and the recent trade for Logan Wilson further crowds the room.

Wilson brings leadership and experience, but his arrival likely pushes Liufau even further down the pecking order.

Instead of being viewed as a developmental priority, Liufau has become a forgotten man, one with limited opportunities to show what he can do beyond special teams.

Talent on the Bench

The Cowboys’ defensive staff, led by DC Matt Eberflus, has to find a way to get Liufau more involved. He’s shown more burst and consistency than some of the veterans playing ahead of him.

At a time when Dallas desperately needs young, hungry defenders to inject life into a sluggish unit, Liufau fits that mold perfectly.

If the Cowboys want to salvage their season and rebuild defensive chemistry, giving Marist Liufau an expanded role could be a simple but meaningful step in the right direction.

His instincts, effort, and versatility are exactly what this team needs; yet for now, he remains one of the Cowboys’ most underutilized assets.