Is Overshown The X-Factor?

DALLAS – In last year’s draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected linebacker DeMarvion Overshown out of the University of Texas in the third round with the No. 90 overall pick.

Overshown tore the ACL in his left knee in the Cowboys second preseason game and missed the entirety of the 2023 campaign. He is back healthy and once again impressing during training camp and the preseason.

ESPN’s Ben Solak named him this year’s biggest X-Factor on the Cowboys defense.

“Overshown is Dallas' best bet at finding a three-down linebacker on the roster -- better than Bell, Kendricks or 2024 third-round selection Marist Liufau,” writes Solak. “Of the undersized options, he has the sideline-to-sideline range and violence into contact that will remain viable against the run.

“If he converts two promising preseasons into successful regular-season play, he'll quickly become a playmaker Zimmer deploys on his complex blitzes, too."

Related: Zimmer Reveals Bitterness: 'Hell No!'

We'll correct Solak a bit here. He mentions Markquese Bell as a linebacker. He's not; he's a safety. He fails to mention Damone Clark, who figures as a starter. He suggests that Liufau is "undersized''; the rookie is 6-2, 240.

But ... back to "Agent Zero,'' as Overshown was known as at Texas.

He is a fit for the type of player that coordinator Mike Zimmer loves. Sure, he’d love a little more size at his position, but his speed and instincts could make him invaluable as a defensive asset this season.

The Cowboys open Week 1 on the road as they take on the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. This is the FOX NFL Game of the Week and kicks off at 3:25 p.m. CT.