The Dallas Cowboys were one of the last NFL teams to wrap up OTAs. Next up is mandatory minicamp, which runs from June 16-18, and all eyes will be on George Pickens and whether he shows up.
It doesn't seem like the Cowboys even know Pickens' plans, but we'll get clarity soon enough. After all, there were plenty of takeaways from OTAs, and there's no sense dwelling on a player who wasn't even there.
While the vibes are high, the usage of Dallas' linebackers has raised some eyebrows. Not because of where they were positioned, but who was doing what. On the latest House of Haymaker episode (5:30 mark), Cowboys reporter Nick Harris of the Star-Telegram made a troubling assessment of the room.
“The one thing I really have the big question mark still is the depth at linebacker," Harris said. "And right now, it’s looking like Curtis Robinson is your backup MIKE. If Dee Winters goes down with injury, then you’re in a position where you’re playing a guy who does not have a lot of starting experience.”
That does not inspire confidence.
Dallas Cowboys' linebacker rotation raises concerns at OTAs
In an interesting wrinkle, DeMarvion Overshown has practiced a lot at the MIKE while donning the green dot. The kicker? Overshown was one of five (!) players who wore the green dot in Tuesday's practice.
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, that group included Overshown, Dee Winters, Shemar James, Curtis Robinson, and Justin Barron. That is nearly every LB on the roster, sans rookie third-round pick Jaishawn Barham.
Assuming that Overshown starts at the WILL -- with Winters at the MIKE -- that may leave Robinson as the backup middle linebacker.
As Harris noted, if Winters suffers an injury, odds are Robinson would get the nod. With only three starts in five seasons (all of which came last year with San Francisco), that is a concerning proposition.
James started six games as a rookie last year, but that was more due to necessity than anything else. He can be a fine rotation player, but odds are he won't be trusted to call the defense.
Obviously, middle linebacker is a critical position. But the underlying issue is Dallas' lack of proven depth behind Overshown and Winters. There's actually a lot to like about those two sharing the field, and the coaching staff is bullish on Barham, but he's still a rookie. It would be unfair to expect him to stabilize the position if injuries strike.
Maybe the Cowboys fall into good fortune, and one of Robinson, James, or Barron outperforms expectations. That would quell a lot of concerns, but if it doesn't happen, the front office needs to seriously consider getting a proven vet in the building.
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