Linebacker Shemar James is expected to remain on the Cowboys' 2026 roster despite a drop in depth chart position. He was drafted in 2025 and has potential for significant playing time.
Key points
Shemar James is a linebacker for the Cowboys.
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
James has potential for significant playing time in 2026.
He is competing with several other linebackers for a roster spot.
Our next player profile in this series is the first one from the defense: linebacker Shemar James. Heâs not as high on the depth chart as he was a few weeks ago, but James still figures to be on the 2026 roster in at least some kind of role, and the potential for significant playing time is still there for the second-year prospect.
Background
Years in NFL: 1 Acquired by: Drafted (2025 fifth round)
The Cowboys made James one of their two fifth-round picks in last yearâs draft, the other being RB Jaydon Blue. At the time, James was seen a little more than a down-roster development player with strong special teams value. After all, Dallas has traded for veteran Kenneth Murray, signed Jack Sanborn for his experience in Matt Eberflusâ system, and had Marist Liufau as an intriguing second-year guy. They also anticipated DeMarvion Overshownâs return from injury during the regular season, and even still had Damone Clark as an experienced backup option.
Well, we know how that all went. Sanborn was a bust as the starting MLB and eventually got hurt. Murray moved to that role and was woefully miscast. Liufau, like most of our defenders, seemed to forget how to play in Eberflusâ scheme. Clark was just as lost and got cut midseason. And Overshown did return after 10 weeks, but between the teamâs other defensive issues and being judicious in how they worked him back in, he didnât get to do much.
Q&A
What year was Shemar James drafted by the Cowboys?
Shemar James was drafted by the Cowboys in 2025.
What is Shemar James' role on the Cowboys' 2026 roster?
Shemar James is expected to have a role on the 2026 roster, potentially with significant playing time.
Who are the other linebackers competing for a spot on the Cowboys' roster?
Other linebackers include Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Marist Liufau, DeMarvion Overshown, and Damone Clark.
How many years has Shemar James been in the NFL?
Shemar James has been in the NFL for one year.
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If chaos is a ladder, James climbed it to six starts and more defensive snaps than any other LB but Murray. It wasnât pretty at times: the rawness that made him a fifth-round pick showed up plenty of times, and he graded out as one of the leagueâs worst linebackers overall. But, to be fair, some of those grades came as a result of all the bad play around him.
It wasnât all bad, though. The athletic traits that got James drafted were also on display, especially as a blitzer, and allowed him to still flash play-making potential. It was enough to keep him on the roster this offseason and still have plenty of optimistic supporters as we go into camp.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3 2026 Cap Hit: $1.11 million
Even if Jamesâ role is reduced from last year, his contract wonât be an issue. Just one year into his rookie deal, James is still a relative bargain even as a backup and special teamer. Counting for well less than 1% of the total salary cap, any decisions made about him this summer wonât be for financial reasons.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup LB Roster Chance: 90%
James may not hang on to his semi-starting role after Dallasâ busy offseason at linebacker. But even if he does have to come back down the ladder a bit, he will still have a lot of intrigue as a backup and developmental player, and should get plenty of work on special teams as originally intended.
At this point, we hope for a starting duo of a healthy Overshown and recently-acquired Dee Winters in Christian Parkerâs 3-4 scheme. But other guys will get plenty of work, especially rookie Jaishawn Barham. We also have veteran Curtis Robinson, just signed a few days ago, and second-year prospect Justin Barron in the mix.
But once again, there is potential for chaos. Overshownâs health is one of the biggest X-factors on the roster. Barhamâs still a rookie and may need time to be comfortable and earn trust. Winters and Robinson may have experience, but they have to adjust to a new team and system. Barron is even more raw than James, spending last year on the practice squad, and is undersized for a major role.
James may bring some of his own chaos to the party, too. Even if he didnât get the best coaching last year, he is way ahead of projections in terms of on-field experience. He has learning and adapting challenges this year like his teammates, but that can also even the playing field a bit. If James takes to what Parker and LB Coach Scott Symons are installing as well or better than others, he has every opportunity to be a key player going forward.
Again, the most likely scenario is that Overshown and Winters will be the primaries, especially in nickel. But Shemar James could wind up being a major rotation piece, even as much or more than Barham, if he builds on his rookie season. If nothing else, he should hang around for depth and special teams. But thatâs a low bar based on what we saw last year, and the ample opportunities for this yearâs linebackers to claim playing time.
