Well, this is my point. They sorely need the next man in the middle.
So now is the time for the Cowboys to find that next true middle linebacker they can sink their teeth into. And if not in the upcoming NFL Draft beginning on April 23, then must continue scouring the pile of unrestricted free agent leftovers or even possibly make a trade for a veteran getting squeezed out of a starting job somewhere else.
But enough of these recent placeholders. Because ever since a severe neck injury forced Vander Esch’s retirement after playing just five games in 2023, that onetime legacy position has been a rolodex of just guys. A list that includes one year of Damone Clark, then one year of Eric Kendricks and this past year’s turnstile of Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Logan Wilson and the rookie Shemar James, who at 21 years of age, with but three years of college experience, finished second on the team with 85 tackles, though needs more seasoning.
Time to find that dude for seasons to come.
Now, the Cowboys must hope this draft can provide one with either of their two first-round picks, at No. 12 or No. 20. Or if they can manage to trade down at No. 20 to pick up a Day 2 draft choice and still acquire that badly needed inside linebacker – capable of running the showand even wearing the green dot helmet to relay the defensive calls in the huddle – how great would that be?
Then again, if they do, would the Cowboys even trust a rookie with such a job?
“Yes,” team owner Jerry Jones said without hesitation. “Yes. A big YES.”
Well, OK then.
The Cowboys have made no bones about needing to upgrade the inside linebacker position. There is confidence in DeMarvion Overshown manning one of those two inside linebacker spots in Christian Parker’s 3-4 scheme, though more the weakside guy. But when Dallas goes to a 4-2-5 formation in the nickel, and understand the Cowboys played nearly 70 percent of last year’s defensive snaps in nickel, this is where the roster lacks depth.
And they know it.
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