Dee Winters struggles affirm the Cowboys need DeMarvion Overshown back ASAP

With DeMarvion Overshown still on the shelf due to a hamstring injury, the Dallas Cowboys have been forced to play linebacker roulette. Since Overshown is the MIKE of the defense and was wearing the green dot, it's forced Christian Parker to get creative on how to deploy a LB room with little depth.

In his stead, third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham took over the green dot and has stepped in as the MIKE, but unfortunately it's the WILL spot that's causing the Cowboys issues. Dee Winters, another player they brought in this offseason, has gotten off to an unusually slow start to the 2026 campaign.

Dallas acquired Winters from the 49ers thinking he would help remedy their LB issues, but he's done more harm than good. Only six players in the NFL have more missed tackles than Winters, and it's not like he's compensating for it by excelling in coverage or getting to the QB.

The linebacking room has been a concern for the defense all season, and making Barham play superhero is not going to cut it.

Once DeMarvion Overshown returns, the Cowboys can bench Dee Winters

The unfortunate part is that desperate times call for desperate measures, and until Overshown is able to return, which won't be until Week 6 at least, Christian Parker has no choice but to trot out the TCU product.

Jerry Jones gave up a fifth-round pick for him, and you know that draft capital can't go to waste. In a different situation, Winters wouldn't be playing as many snaps. But he's better than Shemar James and Justin Barron. He has to be out there.

Take PFF for what you will, but even they see what a liability the 25-year-old has been. With a 42.5 defensive grade, Pro Football Focus ranked Winters 72nd of 74 qualified linebackers while his 39.9 coverage grade has him ranked 69th of 74. He has been basically unplayable all season long

And this chart basically sums it all up.

Linebacker is still a need for the Cowboys

There was one particular rep against the Texans where Houston was in the red zone, and the veteran LB took no initiative to chase the ball or pursue the ball carrier (David Montgomery). He failed to pick a hole and just stood there until Texans tight end Foster Moreau pushed him in the opposite direction.

It's starting to become clear that Dee Winters' success is because of a fantastic scheme in San Francisco (and playing with Fred Warner). But the other issue is that he should be more of a depth player, yet the Cowboys have to rely on him to start without Overshown.

Once Overshown returns, the Cowboys can keep Barham at MIKE and move Overshown to WILL, where he is also a natural fit.

It's not saying much, but he's better in coverage than Winters, and perhaps not playing in as much traffic will accentuate Overshown's athleticism and allow him to make more plays in space. With Barham handling the dirty work in the middle, Overshown would have more freedom to fly around and play to his strengths.

DeMarvion Overshown isn't the player he once was on account of all the injuries, but even so, I'd take him in the starting lineup over Dee Winters, so let's get him back ASAP.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow