Scouting Report: Where Cowboys LB Jaishawn Barham wins, where to improve

TL;DR

The Cowboys traded their 5th round pick to acquire linebacker Dee Winters and selected Jaishawn Barham with the 92nd overall pick. Barham will initially be tried at inside linebacker due to his physical style of play.

Key points

Cowboys traded 5th round pick for linebacker Dee Winters
Jaishawn Barham selected with 92nd overall pick
Barham has experience at edge and linebacker positions
Cowboys plan to try Barham at inside linebacker
Winters recorded 107 tackles in previous season

Dallas CowboysJaishawn BarhamDee WintersSan Francisco 49ers

The Cowboys were expected to have to wait most of Friday night to get in on the action, but that didn't end up being the case. While teams with picks were conducting the second round, the Cowboys traded their 5th round pick (152nd overall) to acquire linebacker Dee Winters from the 49ers. Over the course of 17 games, Winters recorded 107 tackles (67 of which were solo), eight tackles for loss, and one interception. He has the potential to be a starter alongside DeMarvion Overshown.

Many fans anticipated the team would consider drafting a cornerback with their third rounder, but the team went right back to the inside linebacker position, in a sense. The Cowboys chose Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham with the No. 92 overall selection.

Overview

Barham possesses experience at both edge and linebacker positions. During the post press conference, Dallas Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish asked head coach Brian Schottenheimer about Barham's position, to which he responded, "We're gonna try him at inside linebacker first. We love the physicality he plays with."

What does Barham bring to Cowboys

When watching Barham's film, his physicality sticks out. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, his quick get off allows him to cover ground quickly, and he can chase plays sideline-to-sideline.

Also, Barham can drop into coverage or rush the passer. Last year he had 10 tackles for loss and 4 sacks for the Wolverines. He shows high football instincts to diagnose plays and react quickly. He is effective in reading screens, misdirection, and blocking schemes.

As a linebacker/EDGE hybrid, Barham has shown flashes of good run defense, especially when used as a run blitzer or setting the edge. He is physical and aggressive at the point of attack, which is crucial for stopping outside runs or containing ball carriers on the edge. These skills can be a perfect fit for him at inside linebacker in Christian Parker's scheme fit.

What Barham needs to improve

Barham exhibits a physical playing style. However his aggressive approach resulted in challenges in 2025, including the failure to make 24 tackles due to errors and poor judgment. His excessive enthusiasm at times also led to penalties, such as late hits and holding infractions.

Q&A

What are Jaishawn Barham's strengths as a linebacker?

Jaishawn Barham is known for his physicality and versatility, having experience at both edge and linebacker positions.

Why did the Cowboys trade their 5th round pick for Dee Winters?

The Cowboys traded their 5th round pick to acquire Dee Winters to bolster their linebacker corps, where he recorded 107 tackles last season.

What position will Jaishawn Barham play for the Cowboys?

Jaishawn Barham will initially be tried at inside linebacker, as indicated by head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

How did the Cowboys perform in the draft regarding linebacker positions?

The Cowboys focused on the linebacker position in the draft by selecting Jaishawn Barham and trading for Dee Winters, addressing their defensive needs.