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1 surprising Cowboys player who could make or break 2026 NFL season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While the Dallas Cowboys cuts will be tough when the end of August rolls around, there’s no shortage of enthusiasm this season. However, for the Cowboys to realize their goals, here is one surprising player who could make or break their 2026 NFL season.
As usual, there are whispers of a Super Bowl season for the Cowboys. They have one of the NFL’s best offenses, if not the best. And their defense should be greatly improved from the disaster of 2025.
But for the latter to happen, this player needs not only to step up but to shine.
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Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown could be the key
Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Overshown could have been a star out of the box. But a preseason ACL tear ended his season before it began.
When Overshown got onto the field in 2024, he looked the part at times. In 12 games, he totaled 90 tackles with eight for loss. He added five sacks and five quarterback hits. Last year, still struggling with multiple knee injuries, Overshown started only five games.
This year, he appears to be healthy heading into training camp. If he carries that into the season, he fills a crucial role in run defense for head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys.
How big could 2026 be for Overshown? The ceiling is high, according to Sports Illustrated.
“He’s easily the biggest X-factor on this defense, and could become a superstar if he remains healthy and plays all 17 games,” Randy Gurzi wrote.
OK, let’s tap the brakes on the superstar thing. That’s a prove-it-before-you-mention-it type thing.
But here’s the key for the Cowboys. Overshown doesn’t need to be a superstar. At his position, just being a top 15 NFL off-ball linebacker would make a crucial difference for the Cowboys’ defense.
The reason for excitement is that Overshown doesn’t play like a typical off-ball linebacker, according to ESPN. He received honorable mention among the league’s best at his position.
“He moves like a safety,” an NFC scout said. “Incredibly talented. I want to see how he does this year after the injuries.”
Also, the Cowboys are handing Overshown the keys to the defense, according to dallascowboys.com.
“I’ve been wanting to be MIKE for the longest, since my rookie year,” Overshown said. “I felt like it was going to come to a time where I wore the “C” on my chest and I had the green dot. And now I’ve got it. I’m excited.
“I’ve been able to play MIKE. It’s just been I haven’t been asked to do it. This year, that role fits me. People look at me as a MIKE. When [Parker] got here, he already had the plan built. I’ve just got to follow.”
Overshown said his role will be well-defined. And he said he will take the extra responsibility seriously.
“People are going to look for me to set the front or make the checks when the offense is making a check,” Overshown said. “I’ve got to be (defensive coordinator Christian Parker) on the field. That’s what we talked about a lot. I’ve got to be an extension of him on the field.
“That’s a role that (if) you do it well, you play in one place for a long time. We all know what year this is for me. It’s a contract year, and you give me the green dot, so I’ve got an opportunity to prove myself.”
The Cowboys’ defense enters the season with many question marks. But there’s also a lot of talent on that side of the football. The ceiling for this unit is top 10 in the NFL.
But the only way they get there is if Overshown can dominate on at least a semi-regular basis. He said he understands the expectations.
“I learned that in order for us to be the great defense that we’re going to be, I’m going to have to be the great leader that I have to be,” Overshown said. “So [Parker] giving me that role and giving me that badge, I took that with heart, because I want to be that. I want people to look at me in the fourth quarter and say ‘This guy’s still going hard.'”
And Overshown said he doesn’t believe his previous injuries will inhibit him in any way in 2026.
“I’ve got the best knees in the NFL if you ask me,” Overshown said. “They’re brand new. Technology these days is crazy. I feel great, already starting off as a win being healthy. The fact that I’m healthy going into the season, going into training camp, you can expect a lot from me.”
He’s the centerpiece for the Cowboys’ defense. His ascension makes their season. If he falls short, the Cowboys will likely fall short of their goals.
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