After the Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last season, they counted on linebacker DeMarvion Overshown replacing the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker. But Overshown — drafted by the Cowboys in the third round with the 90th pick in 2023 — has played in only 19 out of 51 games with Dallas because of injuries.
On Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones expressed confidence that Overshown will be a standout — if he’s available to play.
“[I]f he does, I think it’s going to be a great season,” Jones told reporters, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “I think the biggest thing is that [unavailability]. Certainly, no one wants to play the game more than him. I can assure you of that.”
Added Jones: “I’m fired up about what he brings to the table.”
Overshown missed the 2023 season because of an ACL injury in his left knee. In Week 14 in 2024, he suffered a torn ACL, MCL and PCL in his right knee, sidelining him for the rest of that season and the first 10 weeks of 2025.
In six games in 2025, Overshown had 15 solo tackles, 28 total tackles and no sacks after having five in 13 games in 2024.
Cowboys need a healthy DeMarvion Overshown for defense to improve
The Cowboys had the NFL’s third-worst defense last season (30th, 377 yards per game). The offense ranked second, averaging 391.9 yards per game.
In 2025, the Cowboys missed Parsons’ ability to pressure the quarterback — he led Dallas in sacks in 2024 with 12. Overall, the Cowboys had 35 sacks last season, with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney leading the way with 8.5.
Dallas is hopeful of a defensive turnaround under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who served as Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach last season. The Eagles have two of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Coming back healthy and working with Parker, Overshown could find new life, and his presence in the middle of the field should help solidify the defense — if he can remain healthy.