The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for key defensive position battles as they finalize their roster. With rookies needing time to adjust, competition for starting roles will be intense, particularly between defensive ends Jonathan Bullard and LT Overton.
Key points
Dallas Cowboys are finalizing their roster depth chart.
Rookies need time to adjust to the NFL.
Competition for starting roles is expected to be intense.
Jonathan Bullard and LT Overton are key players in defensive battles.
Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones always says player acquisition is a 24/7, 365 edict, but with the draft over, Dallas has the bones of its depth chart filled out. Now itâs about who can earn their spot in the rotation and who wonât make the roster. Dallas did a good job of raising the floor of the roster enough that every top draft pick and free-agent signing isnât a walk-in starter.
Relying on rookies to be major contributors immediately isn't a good strategy. They often need time to adjust to the game and build their physical and mental strength. Except for No. 11, Caleb Downs, the team will have everyone else battling for playing time. If they develop quickly, their snaps can increase. This leaves the team with legitimate battles for starting roles, which can motivate and bring out the best in everyone competing.
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: LT Overton #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a turnover in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: LT Overton #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a turnover in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
The Cowboys didnât really have a true 5T or 4i defensive end to begin the offseason. Some defensive tackles could play there, but Dallas needed 3-4 defensive end fits. The position isnât flashy. The player isnât getting pressures and putting up explosive plays behind the line, but instead sets the edge against the run, allowing linebackers to run free and make plays. They signed Jonathan Bullard to a one-year deal as insurance in case the draft didnât fall their way.
Q&A
What are the major defensive snap battles for the Dallas Cowboys this summer?
The major defensive snap battles include competition for starting roles among defensive ends, particularly between Jonathan Bullard and LT Overton.
How does the Cowboys' roster depth affect player competition?
The Cowboys' improved roster depth means that not all top draft picks and free-agent signings will automatically start, increasing competition for playing time.
Who is Caleb Downs and what is his role on the Cowboys?
Caleb Downs is a rookie player for the Cowboys, and he is expected to be a significant contributor, unlike other rookies who will be battling for their spots.
Why is it important for rookies to adjust before contributing to the Cowboys?
Rookies often need time to build their physical and mental strength, making it crucial for them to adjust before they can effectively contribute to the team's performance.
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Bullard is a 10-year vet who knows how to play the position and has the correct size at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds. He hasnât ever recorded more than 2 sacks in a season and averages only four tackles for loss in his career.
LT Overton needs to bulk up a little at only 274 pounds, but the No. 137 overall pick (fourth round) does an excellent job of getting leverage by keeping his 6-foot-3 frame low and anchoring so as not to be pushed around. Overton didnât require a significant investment, which could allow the Cowboys to bring him along slowly, add bulk, and get him used to playing with power against the best competition every week. Overton will play, but the battle will be who starts and gets the most snaps per game as the season goes on.
Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (27) looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (27) looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Shavon Revel Jr. was an injured prospect who fell in the draft, but couldâve been a top-20 pick had he been healthy. Cowboys fans have called this drafting process as the "blue star special.â It happened so often (mostly in the second round) that it became one of Dallas' Draft Commandments.
Revel clearly wasnât comfortable in his seven contests, as he attempted to manage a leg brace as a rookie. He didnât have much positive tape in Year 1, but the team sees him as a defensive cornerstone going forward. If Revel Jr. is healthy and confident and develops into the corner most scouts believed he could, then he will be the starter opposite DaRon Bland.
Cobie Durant was a smart signing for the Cowboys as insurance in case Bland or Revel Jr. werenât back to form. He started 34 games for the Los Angeles Rams over the last two seasons, including the playoffs, and has been a quality contributor. He stepped up his game in the postseason with three interceptions. Durant isnât the type of corner Dallas typically targets at 5-for-11, and only 180 pounds, and he doesnât have the high ceiling of Revel, but he is smart, tough, and raises the floor of the unit if he wins the starting job.
Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) warms up at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) warms up at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
The Cowboys will have DeMarvion Overshown healthy for training camp this year, and they traded with the San Francisco 49ers for Dee Winters to start next to him. That leaves Shemar James, a 2025 fifth-round pick, and third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham to battle for rotational snaps.
James led Dallas with 91 tackles in his rookie season, playing only 14 games with six starts. Itâs an accumulation stat from a bad defense, but he still accomplished it. He has solid size and excellent athleticism, with some starting experience, but he might still not hold off the Cowboys' versatile rookie.
Barham is unique because he moved from linebacker to edge rusher in his final season at Michigan, but was drafted to be an inside linebacker for the Cowboys. He was already mentioned as a comp for Zack Baun of Christian Parkerâs prior team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Barham plays aggressively, using violence and being extremely physical as a run defender and blitzer. He will have a role in certain situations, but thatâs different from being the third linebacker in rotation. How well his instincts and anticipation develop could determine his snap share by season's end.
