Cowboys OTA notes: Linebacker roles revealed

The Cowboys will be deeper and faster at linebacker in 2024.

The Dallas Cowboys finished fifth in total yards allowed per game in 2023. However, it was clear that one area was lacking, the linebacker spot. For one, they were relying on Markquese Bell, a natural safety, to play linebacker on a regular basis despite being undersized. Also, the group was depleted once Leighton Vander Esch went down for the season with another neck injury, which ultimately caused him to retire. There just weren’t enough reliable bodies at linebacker on the roster, and the group got exposed late in the regular season and the playoffs.

Dallas was on a mission to correct this problem during the offseason. They brought in veterans Eric Kendricks and Damien Wilson, giving the team a starter for the 2024 campaign and quality depth piece. In the NFL draft, the Cowboys took Marist Liufau in the third round. Adding in holdover Damone Clark and rehabbing DeMarvion Overshown, the Cowboys are in a much better spot regarding their linebacker room, and now the specific spots where each will play under Mike Zimmer have been revealed.

Kendricks playing middle linebacker or Mike makes all the sense in the world. He’s not quite what he once was, but Kendricks made his bread and butter being the quarterback of the defense for the Minnesota Vikings for eight seasons (2015-2022). For seven of those years, he played under Zimmer, who helped develop him into a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2019. Kendricks will be the green dot player for the Cowboys’ defense, meaning he’ll get the calls directly from Zimmer and communicate that with his teammates.

“I’ve been in this system for seven years,” Kendricks said earlier this month. “It’s something I’m very familiar with. We’re gonna be doing different things here and there, especially with the personnel that we have here. I think it’s good that, especially from someone who’s giving the calls in the huddle, it can be a singular voice right now — especially as everyone is learning [the playbook].

“I’m already getting more comfortable talking with the guys, communicating, alerting checks and things like that. We’re only gonna get better at it as it goes. Obviously, we’re still inputting a new system, and it’s a complicated one as well, but we’re starting off slow and we’re doing it the right way.”

Clark played mostly middle linebacker in 2023 due to the Vander Esch injury. As the strong side or Sam linebacker, Clark will line up on the side of the field where the tight end is or the side with the greater number of players. This role is usually given to bigger linebackers, and at 240 pounds, it fits Clark to a tee. So, Clark will be responsible for taking on the blocks of tight ends when it’s called upon and still be able to make plays.

As the weakisde or Will linebacker, Overshown will play on the side away from the ball, and he have to be able to roam sideline to sideline and take care of anything the comes back to his side as well as rallying to the ball on the strongside. This is a role is often given to the fastest linebacker because they’re asked to play in coverage. As a former safety, that suits Overshown very well. He’s put on weight to deal with the responsibility, and if he fully recovers from his torn ACL, a breakout season could be on the horizon.

Rookie Marist Liufau will likely be in a rotational role, but he’ll start off playing on the strong side behind Clark, according to linebackers coach Scott McCurley. However, he mentioned that Liufau has the potential to play middle linebacker, and with Kendricks on the roster, he has the perfect mentor when it comes to learning that role. Per Iisha Morrison of DallasCowboys.com when she was on the AtoZ Sports morning show with Will “Skywalker” Steele on Friday, the Cowboys ran some three linebacker looks during OTAs with Liufau on the field with Kendricks and Clark. That type of look was basically nonexistent under Dan Quinn.

The Cowboys are already deeper and faster at linebacker than a season ago, and they have several guys that can play multiple spots if need be. Linebacker was once a weak spot for the Cowboys, but now they have the bodies to make it work.