Scientific pick-grade method says Cowboys drafted good one in Barham

Drafting players is all about decision making, and that’s why extra time and effort is taken to grade the process and situation rather than just the prospect. In the case of Jaishawn Barham, many factors have to be considered before determining the worthiness of the pick at No. 92.

Barham, the Dallas Cowboys' only Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, followed a trend the first two Dallas picks started: he was exciting. Barham is considered by some to be an edge prospect like Malachi Lawrence. To others he’s considered an off-ball player who can blitz. To the Cowboys, the only team that matters at this point, it’s the latter category they will try first.

Knowing this allows one to more properly grade the decision-making process. Looking at consensus value, positional and surplus value, team need, scarcity, risk and reward, one can objectively determine how good of a pick Barham really is for the Cowboys.

With such a need at inside linebacker, it matters considerably that the Cowboys intend to use him at their most glaring position of need. It also matters that he’ll be used as a blitzer more than as a full-time edge rusher.

The positional scarcity grade is impacted because alternative options at linebacker were dwindling by the minute. The Cowboys used the trade market to add LB Dee Winters, but Barham was a prospect they targeted regardless of that trade. In many ways, Winters provides the linebacker room the floor while Barham offers the ceiling.

On the consensus board the Michigan rookie fits right where Dallas drafted him. At 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, Barham is a twitched-up athlete who explodes off the snap. If the Cowboys can teach him to read and diagnose, he could be a problem for offenses, but right now he brings risk because he’s a year removed from playing off-ball. On the flip side, because he’s so naturally gifted rushing the passer from the edge, he has a fallback role – a valuable fallback role at that – that mitigates risk. As of today though, it looks like the Cowboys will use Barham similar to how the New York Giants will use Arvell Reese.