Almost every Dallas Cowboys fan wants so badly for it to work out with DeMarvion Overshown.
But the young linebacker has spent two-thirds of his career on the shelf at this point, and with his contract expiring in the spring, the Cowboys have a difficult decision to make. Unless Overshown is willing to re-sign for cheap, Dallas may have to make the tough call to let him walk in free agency.
In an ideal world, Overshown sips from a magical elixir that wipes away his injury history and places him in a Dallas uniform every Sunday. And it is entirely possible that Jerry Jones and Co. still run it back with him next year and in the future. But in the event that they don't, they need to be prepared.
Replacing what Overshown brings to the field, when he's actually on it, anyway, wouldn't be easy. His ability to make game-altering plays and slide between the MIKE and WILL is valuable. And that's why the Cowboys should be doing their homework already on who could potentially replace him.
Here are five potential options from three different avenues.
5 potential DeMarvion Overshown replacements Cowboys should be doing homework on
Jordyn Brooks, Dolphins (Trade)
How long have we been pounding the table for Brooks here at The Landry Hat?
He's at the top of every trade deadline big board we produce, and Brooks has been a potential target since before he signed his extension in Miami. And even afterward, because the deal is practically designed to eventually offload the star linebacker.
With Jacob Rodriguez's emergence, the Dolphins may be willing to unload Brooks next offseason. Like Overshown, Brooks has the ability to play both linebacker spots and is a certified producer, as he's led the league in tackles twice, as recently as 2024. He can also cover fairly well.
Brooks has been the dream, and if the Cowboys don't extend Overshown or bring back Dee Winters, then landing him would be absolutely transformational for this defense. Dallas doesn't have much draft capital to send Miami for him, but Jerry Jones will find a way to make a trade if he so desires.
Patrick Queen, Steelers (Free agency)
Queen might be a boring name, but he's been a central part of great defenses for seven years running now, and for a reason. He is a textbook WILL with his solid coverage skills and ability to make plays in space, and Queen has a veteran pedigree that would be coveted for a young Cowboys defense.
If Christian Parker is still around next year, he could practically put Queen on autopilot and never really have to worry about him. Plus, Queen has been an ironman in his career, playing every single game thus far. All 109 of them. And that is arguably more valuable than anything.
Daiyan Henley, Chargers (Free agency)
The Chargers needed to tear things down to the studs, so they may not be in the business of re-signing him this offseason. Not only is Henley a great run defender and tackler, but he can also rush the passer a bit, which would be nice for a struggling Cowboys pass rush to have at its side.
Henley has developed some issues in coverage over the last two years that he did not have early in his career, but what's lost can be found. Plus, he's missed just three games in four years, so Dallas could rely on him to be around every Sunday. Henley won't break the bank on the open market, either.
Chris Cole, Georgia (Draft)
We now turn the page to the prospects.
Chris Cole is widely considered to be the best off-ball linebacker in the 2027 draft class right now, and it is not difficult to understand why. The Bulldogs star has lightning speed and swarms to the ball in a hurry, and he has that Overshown-like ability to make big plays that really affect the game.
He is alignment-versatile as well, setting up off the ball, on the edge or in the slot, and Cole can blitz with the best of them, which is a fun element for any defensive coordinator to have on hand. Cole is a physical player and an absolute shutdown player in coverage against players of all sizes.
Cole needs to get better at getting off blocks at times, particularly against offensive linemen, but there is a lot to love here.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame (Draft)
KVA is the other prospect in the discussion for the top off-ball linebacker in the spring class. He is a freight train downhill against the run and is probably the best in the country at fending through traffic to make tackles. Viliamu-Asa is practically a tackle for loss or a run stuff waiting to happen.
He has sideline-to-sideline speed that every NFL team wants, and the Notre Dame product is just like his Georgia counterpart, where he can line up anywhere and have an impact. KVA does have an injury history, which may cause some PTSD, but he's also very good in coverage and a complete package.
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