As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the 2025 NFL season, few position groups encapsulate the team’s blend of promise and peril more than its linebacker corps. Once a hallmark of hard-nosed Dallas defenses led by legends like Chuck Howley, Lee Roy Jordan, and Dexter Coakley, the modern Cowboys linebacking unit is teeming with athleticism, youth, and potential—but also riddled with uncertainty, inconsistency, and injury concerns.
With new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer returning to the Cowboys sideline, replacing Dan Quinn who took the Washington Commanders’ head coaching job, the spotlight on the linebacker group burns brighter than ever. Zimmer, a no-nonsense architect of top-tier defenses, is tasked with refining a linebacker corps that could be elite—if it can finally put all the pieces together.
In this in-depth examination, we’ll break down the key players, analyze their strengths and vulnerabilities, and assess what must happen for this unit to realize its sky-high potential in 2025.
The Blueprint: Zimmer’s Vision for the Linebackers
Mike Zimmer’s 4-3 scheme places a premium on disciplined linebackers who can fly to the football, shed blocks, and handle both zone drops and man-to-man responsibilities. In Minnesota, he was known for extracting career years from linebackers like Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr. In Dallas, he’ll look to do the same—but with a younger, less proven group.
Zimmer has already stated publicly that his linebackers must “play with violence, vision, and versatility.” That directive underscores the need for the Cowboys’ second-level defenders to evolve quickly—especially considering the high-powered offenses they’ll face in the NFC East and beyond.
Micah Parsons: The Wildcard Weapon
Though technically listed as an EDGE rusher, Micah Parsons still figures prominently in any discussion about the linebacker corps. In fact, his positional ambiguity is part of what makes evaluating the Cowboys’ linebacker depth so complex.
Parsons is a generational talent—already a two-time All-Pro with 40.5 sacks in three seasons. But while he was drafted as a linebacker, his transition to full-time edge rusher under Quinn left a void in the middle of the field. With Zimmer at the helm, it remains unclear if Parsons will return to a more traditional off-ball role on occasion or continue focusing on terrorizing quarterbacks.
What to Watch: If Zimmer decides to rotate Parsons between linebacker and edge—as he did with Barr in Minnesota—it could create matchup nightmares for offenses and mask some of the Cowboys’ depth concerns. But it also runs the risk of overloading Parsons and further complicating the development of young linebackers who need consistent reps.
Damone Clark: A Potential Breakout Star
Selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU, Damone Clark’s journey to the NFL was marked by adversity. A spinal fusion surgery delayed his rookie debut, but once he hit the field in 2023, Clark flashed elite speed and instincts. He started all 17 games in 2024, logging 98 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
Clark is fast, physical, and explosive when triggering downhill. At 6’3”, 240 pounds, he has the prototypical size to patrol the middle of the field. However, his play recognition and ability to disengage from blocks are still developing. Against run-heavy teams, he occasionally struggled with over-pursuit and misreads.
What to Watch: With a full offseason under Zimmer’s tutelage, Clark could emerge as the team’s top off-ball linebacker. If his instincts catch up to his physical gifts, he could be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. But if the mental side doesn’t develop, the Cowboys may once again find themselves vulnerable up the gut.
DeMarvion Overshown: The X-Factor Returning from Injury
One of the Cowboys’ biggest question marks is third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown, who tore his ACL during the 2023 preseason. Overshown, a converted safety from Texas, brings unique coverage ability to the linebacker position. Before his injury, he was drawing rave reviews in camp for his range and versatility.
Now entering 2025, Overshown is expected to be fully healthy and ready to compete for a starting role. His return is pivotal, especially as NFL offenses increasingly rely on dynamic tight ends and pass-catching backs that require athletic linebackers to match up.
What to Watch: Overshown’s coverage chops could be game-changing in sub-packages. If he regains his pre-injury explosiveness, Zimmer could deploy him as a weakside coverage ‘backer or even in a hybrid safety role. But coming off an ACL tear, there’s always a risk that mobility or confidence could be diminished early in the season.
New Faces: Draft Possibilities and Free Agent Pickups
As of April 2025, the Cowboys still have room to add to the linebacker room, particularly with mid-to-late-round draft picks. Several intriguing prospects—like NC State’s Payton Wilson or Washington’s Edefuan Ulofoshio—fit the mold of rangy, scheme-versatile linebackers who could contribute on special teams and grow into starting roles.
Additionally, the team brought in veteran journeyman Anthony Walker Jr. on a one-year deal to add leadership and stability. While not a long-term solution, Walker provides insurance and could serve as a mentor for Clark and Overshown.
What to Watch: Dallas has used free agency primarily to retain talent rather than chase big-name signings, but if the draft doesn’t produce depth, a summer signing could still come into play. Names like Zach Cunningham or Jaylon Smith—a familiar face—could resurface if injuries or camp struggles arise.
The Jabril Cox Conundrum
Another wildcard in the mix is Jabril Cox, a fourth-round pick in 2021 out of LSU who has yet to make a consistent impact. Hailed as a coverage specialist, Cox has been buried on the depth chart and has struggled with injuries. Now in what may be his final chance to earn a roster spot, Cox must show growth both mentally and physically.
With Overshown returning and Walker now in the fold, Cox may need to shine on special teams or risk being cut. Still, his talent as a nickel linebacker could be valuable if he finally turns the corner.
Strengths of the Unit
Athleticism
Perhaps no linebacker group in the NFL boasts more raw athleticism than Dallas. Clark, Overshown, and Parsons (when aligned off-ball) are elite athletes. This allows for creative blitz packages, disguised coverages, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit that can neutralize modern offenses.
Versatility
Clark can play all three linebacker spots. Overshown can flex into the slot. Parsons can line up literally anywhere in the front seven. That flexibility gives Zimmer a deep toolbox to work with—assuming everyone stays healthy and focused.
Youth and Upside
At just 23 years old, Clark is already entering his third season. Overshown is 24. Parsons is still only 25. If this core sticks together, the Cowboys could build one of the NFL’s top linebacker units for years to come.
Weaknesses and Risks
Inexperience
Outside of Parsons and to some extent Clark, the rest of the group is unproven. Overshown has never played a regular-season snap. Cox is a mystery. Any regression or injury could quickly expose the lack of depth.
Durability Concerns
Overshown’s ACL tear and Clark’s prior neck surgery both raise red flags. The physical nature of the linebacker position makes injury a constant threat. Without durable veterans behind them, the Cowboys could be one injury away from chaos.
Gap Discipline
One of the biggest criticisms in 2024 was the linebackers’ inability to consistently fill gaps and stop the run. The team gave up 131.2 rushing yards per game in the final month of the season. Zimmer must instill better fundamentals and awareness or risk another late-season defensive collapse.
Outlook for 2025: Boom or Bust?
The Cowboys’ linebackers could become one of the most dangerous units in the NFL—or they could become the team’s Achilles’ heel.
If Damone Clark ascends into a Pro Bowl-caliber MIKE linebacker, Overshown returns to form, and Zimmer finds creative ways to maximize Parsons without overstretching him, this unit could thrive. The speed and flexibility would allow Dallas to match up against any offensive scheme.
But if Overshown struggles to regain his confidence, if Clark fails to improve in diagnosing plays, or if injuries mount again, the Cowboys could find themselves scrambling for answers, as they did in critical losses down the stretch of 2024.
Final Verdict
Ceiling: Top-5 linebacker unit in the NFL, with Clark and Overshown emerging as stars and Parsons moonlighting as the ultimate chess piece.
Floor: Inconsistent, injury-riddled group that gives up big plays and forces the secondary to shoulder too much of the load.
The Cowboys’ Super Bowl hopes will hinge in large part on how this linebacker corps performs in 2025. With Zimmer’s return and a locker room that believes its window is wide open, the time is now for the Dallas linebackers to answer the questions that have long surrounded them—and become the backbone of a championship defense.