Over three largely snakebitten seasons, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown has played but 19 of a potential 51 games for the Dallas Cowboys.
Though plenty of promise has been glimpsed, Overshown finds himself very much entering a pivotal fourth season -- the last on his rookie contract.
Amid the usually robust collection of Cowboys offseason headlines -- this year including George Pickens' impending free agency and a new deal for kicker Brandon Aubrey -- Overshown’s make-or-break campaign amid Dallas’ hopes of upgrading a woebegone defense shouldn’t be overlooked.
“Obviously, he needs to put together a full season, and if he does, I think it’s going to be a great season,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
Staying on the field is paramount if that greatness is to be realized.
After he was taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Overshown missed the entirety of his rookie campaign due to a torn ACL suffered in the preseason. His 2024 season was cut short by another knee injury sustained in Week 14 when he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL, which forced him to miss the initial 10 weeks of 2025.
During the 2024 season, in particular, Overshown flashed potential aplenty.
Though Overshown never saw the field in his first NFL year, his first NFL game saw him post 11 tackles, a sack and a pair of QB hits in a Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns.
In 13 2024 games, he tallied 90 tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Playing in just six games to finish up the 2025 season, Overshown’s addition could do little to rescue a Dallas defense that was dead last in yards allowed.
“I think the biggest thing is that, availability,” Jones said. “Certainly, no one wants to play the game more than him. I can assure you of that."
If he is to find sustained success with the Cowboys, Overshown could also go a long way in being a saving grace for a 2023 Dallas draft that’s otherwise been a seven-round bust. Most notably, Dallas’ ’23 first-rounder, Mazi Smith, was traded to the New York Jets after two-plus seasons of struggles. Second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker has been a solid No. 2 tight end, but after third-rounder Overshown, Day 3 picks Viliami Fehoko Jr., Asim Richards, Eric Scott Jr. and Deuce Vaughn are on different rosters. Schoonmaker, Overshown and seventh-rounder Jalen Brooks are the only 2023 Dallas draftees still on the roster.
So, as his fourth season beckons, Overshown will be looking to stay healthy, earn a second contract with the Cowboys and help better a failing defense.
Jones is confident that if Overshown can take care of the first item on the agenda, the other two should follow.
“'Cause I know how good he is and what he can do for us,” Jones said. “I’m fired up about what he brings to the table. The only question mark he has is his injury issues he’s had and getting through a full year.”
PROGRAMMING NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.