The Dallas Cowboys have a lot riding on their 2026 draft class, and it's hard to find an analyst or reporter who doesn't think Caleb Downs will be a star.
Malachi Lawrence doesn’t carry the same expectations, obviously, but he’s expected to inject some much-needed juice into a pass rush that leaned heavily on Jadeveon Clowney last season. Third-round pick Jaishawn Barham, meanwhile, may not open the year as a starter, but he should still carve out a significant role as an off-ball linebacker.
What about the rest of Dallas’ rookie class? What separates good draft classes from great ones is when a Day 3 pick bursts onto the scene in Year 1. One Cowboys reporter believes fourth-round pick LT Overton has that kind of upside.
In a recent mailbag article, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram was asked how many rookies he thinks will start. His answer:
"I think Downs is obviously a shoo-in to start. Malachi Lawrence will probably be a rotational pass rusher in year one. Barham could contend for a starting role, but I think he will also see some rotation. Oddly enough, I think the likeliest starter behind Downs in the rookie class is fourth-round pick LT Overton. He can play that 4i/5-tech role on early downs that I think would be of better service than Jonathan Bullard or Otito Ogbonnia. So, give me two."
The Dallas Cowboys may have big plans for fourth-round pick LT Overton
Circled as the Cowboys' Osa Odighizuwa replacement, it's easy to see why Overton could see the field a ton on early downs.
What the former Alabama standout lacks in pass-rushing upside, he more than makes up for with his run defense and positional versatility. He was one of the best run-defending defensive ends in the 2026 class, making it no surprise that Christian Parker sees him as a DT in his defense.
At 6-foot-3 and 274 pounds, Overton is too heavy to live on the edge full-time. He’s still a little light to play inside, but it’s not like he needs a complete body transformation.
Odighizuwa held up just fine as a full-time defensive tackle at around 280 pounds. Granted, Odighizuwa was asked to get upfield and pressure the quarterback, while Overton projects more as an anchor. However, Overton already plays with NFL power and a sturdy base, so adding more weight should only make him more difficult to move off the ball.
Dallas should get plenty of pass rush from Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. While both are capable run defenders as well, Overton projects as a cleaner fit at 4i and 5T than Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard, who have experience in a 3-4 front but are more traditional nose tackles by trade.
As a fourth-round pick, Overton isn’t under any real pressure to start. But if he forces his way into the lineup by the end of training camp, the Cowboys may have landed one of the biggest steals of the draft on Day 3.
Add him to the list of must-watch players in Oxnard.
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