Talent has never been the issue for Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. When he's on the field, he's been fantastic, but staying healthy hasn't been easy. He missed his rookie year due to a torn ACL and again tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL in December of 2024, which kept him out for most of 2025.
Overshown is finally healthy, even going as far to call his knees "the best in the NFL". And the Cowboys are ready to see him turn a corner. Not only is he entering a contract year, but he's set to take on some new responsibilities within this defensive system that should cement him as a go-to guy.
In addition to lining up at his familiar weak-side LB, Overshown has played the MIKE and is part of a rotation of players wearing the green dot, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. And dreams do come true, kids. The MIKE is a role the 25-year-old has sought out for quite some time.
"I've been wanting to be MIKE for the longest, since my rookie year," Overshown said. "I felt like it was going to come to a time where I wore the "C" on my chest and I had the green dot, and now I've got it. I'm excited."
The Dallas Cowboys are playing DeMarvion Overshown at MIKE linebacker
The 2023 third-round pick may control the defense by the time Week 1 rolls around. That's one way to prove yourself in pursuit of a potential payday. If he starts at the MIKE, he'd be the captain of the defense, spearheading alignment change communication when the offense checks.
Overshown also told the media that he and Parker started discussing the transition as soon as the 2026 NFL Draft ended, and he isn't taking the trust invested in him lightly. He thinks that the change to MIKE will allow him to play more freely and do what he does best: making plays all over the field.
"I learned that in order for us to be the great defense that we're going to be, I'm going to have to be the great leader that I have to be," Overshown said. "So [Parker] giving me that role and giving me that badge, I took that with heart, because I want to be that. I want people to look at me in the fourth quarter and say 'This guy's still going hard.'"
Because of the Texas product's athleticism and ability to patrol from sideline-to-sideline his elite speed shouldn't be impacted while playing from the middle of the field instead of WILL. And he also isn't worried about the fact that he's never played MIKE before. It seems neither is Parker.
When he's been healthy, Overshown has been an impact player. His new responsibilities will present a challenge, but there's every reason to believe he'll continue making plays as he settles into his role as the heart of the defense.
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