CAMP: Biggest TAKEAWAYS From Dallas Cowboys Rookie Minicamp | Caleb Downs SHINES!

Summary

Locked On Cowboys Podcast — Rookie Minicamp Takeaways

Episode: CAMP: Biggest TAKEAWAYS From Dallas Cowboys Rookie Minicamp | Caleb Downs SHINES!
Date: May 4, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 rookie minicamp, offering firsthand analysis of standout performances and revealing behind-the-scenes draft insight. Marcus and Landon break down the impressive debut of first-round pick Caleb Downs, discuss the linebacker shake-up with Jason Barham, and analyze LT Overton’s likely role in the defense. Essential for Cowboys fans looking to get a preview of how the rookie class is fitting in and what to expect going into the season.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Downs’ Impact and Leadership

Timestamps: 01:52–10:12

• Rookie Minicamp Caveat: Marcus opens with a reminder: rookie minicamp is light on contact and highly controlled, but generational talents often stand out immediately (02:20).
• Football IQ and Leadership:
  • Caleb Downs, only 21, is already teaching his fellow rookies the defense—a rarity for any player, let alone a rookie.
  • Landon: “Not only just someone who came in knowing the playbook, but obviously knowing it well enough that he’s helping to teach it to the other players around him. That’s just kind of who Caleb Downs is.” (03:30)
• Coach/Scout Endorsements:
  • Christian Parker (Cowboys defensive staff) praised Downs’ instincts and leadership.
  • Quote: “His brain is connected with his feet. You’re watching three years of film and there’s not a difference in the tape. He’s constantly making the right decision, constantly making contact with the ball, constantly in the right spot... He’s a natural football player. He’s one of those first picks in the schoolyard. We’ve hit it off really well.” — Christian Parker, relayed by Marcus (04:13)
• On-Field Aura: Coaches and teammates can't stop smiling when Downs comes up. “You can get more from these coaches from their facial expressions... When they’re asked about Caleb Downs, they can’t stop smiling. To me, that’s noteworthy. I think they know, it doesn’t take long to know you’ve got somebody special.” — Marcus (07:11)
• Draft Room Story: Cowboys targeted Downs from the outset. New ESPN footage shows the staff’s excitement as other teams passed, emphasizing how hard they worked to get Caleb without having to trade up far (07:52–09:35).
• Versatility: Downs can play anywhere in the secondary—corner, safety, or even linebacker—which increases his value and raises expectations he’ll be a near-every-down player from day one.

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2. Jason Barham: Role Projection at Linebacker

Timestamps: 10:12–21:33

• Position Assignment: Rookie LB Jason Barham is being groomed as a middle linebacker (MIKE), working directly with the inside linebacker coach. (12:01)
• Strengths and Limitations:
  • Barham thrived against the run in college but showed some struggles in coverage, which may limit his early-down role.
  • Landon: “He’s absolutely enormous… if you’re looking for that extra physical presence to take on blockers and come downhill in the run game, he’s going to be awesome.” (14:07)
• Concerns in Coverage:
  • Marcus: “Does he have any feel for zone coverage? That’s what makes the great linebackers special.” (15:26)
  • Landon acknowledges that’s why Barham was a Day 2 pick, not earlier.
• Role Management: Expect creative usage—rushing the passer in passing situations rather than dropping into coverage. “If you mix in enough pass rush and him dropping down… you limit his exposure in coverage.” — Landon (12:46–14:28)
• Green Dot/Leadership Question:
  • The “green dot” refers to the player who relays defensive calls on the field.
  • Neither Barham nor anyone else at MIKE seems ready to take it full-time; speculation that star rookie Caleb Downs or perhaps another safety may assume the leadership role instead.
  • Marcus: “You typically want your green dot player to be on the field 99-100% of the snaps. Are they just going to give this to Jalen Thompson or eventually Caleb Downs?” (18:06)
• Linebacker Room Depth: Uncertainty reigns about who will actually play MIKE and what the rotation will look like, especially since “formation-based” and game-plan specific alignments are likely.
  • Landon: “I think we’re being a little bit too myopic in this idea of the depth chart… Their game plans are going to be game specific.” (21:05)

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3. LT Overton: Defensive Line Depth and Role

Timestamps: 21:33–28:43

• Defensive Tackle Assignment: Overton, drafted from Alabama, is being slotted in at defensive tackle rather than edge rusher, reflecting both his size and the team’s need for power inside (23:50, 24:38).
• Coach’s View:
  • Quote: “He’s, he plays a violent style, he uses his hands well, he plays with a good power base. He’s been in different alignments already, so we’re just getting him more comfortable there.” — Christian Parker, as relayed by Marcus (24:38)
• Versatility: Overton expected to play everywhere from 2i to 5-tech spots—flexibility gives Cowboys depth across multiple fronts.
• Rotational Role: Landon sees Overton as a strong value pick: “Go out and get a guy who is going to be—their fourth defensive tackle maybe—but he’s going to play,” and emphasizes how rare it is for a 4th-rounder to enter the rotation immediately (25:09–27:27).
• Comparison: Marcus suggests Overton could become what the Cowboys hoped Chauncey Golston might be at DT, but with more power than finesse.
• Specialization: Overton’s snaps will likely come in goal-line, short yardage, or run situations, minimizing his exposure as a rusher but playing to his strengths.

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4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Caleb Downs:
  • “He’s been teaching [the playbook] to other players already. He’s different. Why the Cowboys target him early in the draft.” — Marcus Mosher (02:35)
  • “His brain is connected to his feet…” — Christian Parker, via Marcus (04:13)
  • “He already knows the defense and has been teaching it to his teammates.” — Barham, cited by Marcus (02:58)
• Observations on Minicamp Standouts:
  • On Malachi Lawrence (Edge): Christian Parker wanted an edge to chase athletic QBs, referencing division rivals. “I did not think about [drafting for] how athletic the division QBs are—Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, etc.” — Marcus (23:20)
• Linebacker conundrum: “They don’t have another natural Mike linebacker on the team necessarily.” — Landon (18:55)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Caleb Downs Analysis & Draft Room Insight: 02:04–10:12
• Jason Barham, LB Usage & Green Dot Discussion: 12:01–21:33
• LT Overton & Defensive Line Rotation: 21:33–28:43
• Division Edge Rusher Comments (Malachi Lawrence): 22:58–23:50

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Tone and Style

• Analytical, but with a conversational, relatable vibe typical of dedicated team podcasts.
• Passionate—especially when discussing what sets prospects like Caleb Downs apart.
• Playful jabs (jersey number jokes, comparisons to past Cowboys), but focused on football insight.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode leaves listeners optimistic and informed. The hosts make it clear the Cowboys got the player they wanted in Caleb Downs—a likely day-one star and future leader. There’s intrigue and ongoing competition at linebacker and defensive tackle, with new rookies like Barham and Overton set to play specialized but important roles right away. The episode combines draft mechanics, on-field takeaways, and coaching insight for an essential snapshot of Dallas’ rookie class and direction heading into the heart of offseason activities.

Transcript

[Landon McCool]

It's the Locked on podcast network your team every day.

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[Marcus Mosher]

the Dallas Cowboys have their rookie mini camp over the weekend. We'll give you the biggest takeaways next.

[Podcast Network Announcer]

You are Locked on Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day.

[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back. I am your host Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool and today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get 150 in bonus bets. If your first bet wins, just head over to FanDuel.com to get started. On today's show, we are breaking down the biggest takeaways from the Dallas Cowboys 2026 rookie minicamp. We're going to talk about LT Overton and where he's expected to play. We'll talk a little bit about Jason Barham, the Cowboys versatile linebacker. But I want to start with Caleb Downs because sometimes again, I just want to preface all everything I'm about to say. It's Ricky minicamp. There's no one on wheel one on one drills. There's no contact. So take everything that you hear from all 32 mini camps with a grain of salt. Landon, and you know this, but there are times where these guys just get on the field and you can tell they're different. I mean, I remember us talking about this with like, CD Lamb and Dez Bryant all the way back in 2010. And Micah Parsons to a degree. It feels that way already with Caleb Downs. Like the. There's just an aura about him that. From Brian Schottenheimer, from Christian Parker, talking about him from his teammates. I think it was Barum who was saying that Caleb Downs already knows the defense and he's been teaching it to other players already. I mean, he's different. Why the Cowboys target him early in the draft.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, and kind of in the ways that we talked about, right. Like, I mean, you know, like you mentioned, he's. He's already digested the playbook. He's already kind of trying to help his rookie teammates learn it a little bit and those kind of football intelligent things and football instinct things. That's kind of par for the course for who this guy is and what makes him special. So there's athletic parts of it, obviously, the. And we'll see more of the instinctual stuff when we're on the field, but I. I wouldn't have expected anything less as far as, you know, him being a leader and not only just someone who came in knowing the playbook, but obviously knowing it well enough that he's helping to teach it to the other players around him. That's. That's just kind of who Caleb downs is.

[Marcus Mosher]

He's 21 and like he's already. And you know, the cynical part of me thought, well, maybe the Cowboys defense is that simple. It doesn't take that long to win. But I. I don't think that's probably what it is. Christian Parker actually talked about Caleb Downs in his media availability believe on Friday, and here's a quote that he had premium instincts. You can tell his football intellect, the way he directs traffic out there, the way he reason reacts. His brain is connected with his feet. You're watching three years of film and there's not a difference in the tape. He's constantly making the right decision, constantly making contact with the ball, constantly in the right spot. Just a smooth, smooth transition. Smooth player. He's a natural. This is my favorite part. He's a natural football player. He's one of those first picks in the Schoolyard. We've hit it off really well. And this is something that you and I have talked about for a while. Like, the best compliment that you can give a football player is they're just a football player, right? Like Caleb Downs. You could play him at corner, you can play him at safety, you can play him at linebacker. It doesn't matter. He's going to find a way to, to make an impact. And you're already starting to hear that steady drum beat of positive news coming out of Cowboys minicamp.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, and honestly, the one that I love of that little quote there is his. His feet are connected to his brain. Right. Like, I just love, you know that because when you watch, I mean, that's what it is. When other guys are getting the signals from their eyes to their brain, it's already moving to his feet and he's already moving. And you see that on tape. Like, he's often the first guy reacting. He's often the first guy who, who sees how the plays enveloping in front of him. Yeah. So, and those are like, just to be clear, like, those are two very different skills. Right? Like, just because you're smart and you understand football doesn't mean that you actually have excellent reaction time and the ability to kind of react with the speed that he does. So, yeah, I mean, he's a real special player. I think another thing that kind of, you know, that, that, that sticks out and I think I heard in another part of the quote too, is his ability to come to balance from high speed, which makes him such a good tackler. Right. Like, he's able to gather his feet and then strike the defenders with balance as opposed to out of control, you know, and that's again, like, just accentuates the skill set that he has, accentuates the athleticism. And when you kind of tie that, the skill set, those particular skill sets together, it really makes for a very reliable, you know, a leader type player. Even though he's 21 years old, he's. He's a reliable tackler who knows the defense. He sounds like an old veteran, but he's coming into his rookie year for the Cowboys.

[Marcus Mosher]

And you know, you and I have been doing this long enough and you can kind of know, like, the guys that are projects or the guys that are going to take a little bit of time, you just hear coaches talk differently about these players. But this guy, like, right.

[Landon McCool]

The way they say, yeah, it's really important.

[Marcus Mosher]

Go to Dallas cowboys dot com. They have all the actual interviews and you can see like, the facial expressions and a lot of times you can get more from these coaches, from their facial expressions and the actual words they're saying when they're asked about Caleb Downs. Like they could. They can't stop smiling. To me, that's noteworthy. Like, I think they know, like it doesn't take very long to know that you've got somebody special. I think they don't.

[Landon McCool]

I mean, even though he's running around there in number 18 right now looking completely out of place, I don't want

[Marcus Mosher]

to call him a bus, but.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, but. But I mean, he's overcoming. He's overcoming a disadvantage put on him by the jersey numbers. So that just shows you kind of how impressive he's been so far in this rookie minicam.

[Marcus Mosher]

We also got some new information regarding the Caleb down selection. It actually came out from an ESPN special that aired on Sunday night. Talking about it showed some of the inside the war room stuff and it's pretty clear that this is the guy that the Cowboys were targeting throughout the entire draft. Even before the draft started, Jerry Jones was talking about how they really need the to get, you know, they know they need pass rush help, they know they need linebacker help, but they really want that nickel guy that can be the do everything player in their defense. And they. As soon as the Giants took Arvell reese at pick five and you can see Will McClay kind of giving a little fist pump there, it means Caleb Downs was still on the board. They were trying like crazy to get up to six with Cleveland. Obviously Cleveland traded down with Kansas City. When Cleveland was back on the board at number nine, the Cowboys were trying to get up to that pick and get it. When Miami got on the clock, Landon, the Cowboys offered a 5th round pick. Miami said, no, we're going to stick and pick. And I think the Cowboys and that really was Jerry Jones that said, what are we doing here? Like, we don't want to miss out of this player. A fifth round pick's not another fifth round pick's not that big of a deal. This is the guy the Cowboys wanted all along. And by everything that we've heard and seen over the last week, it seems like they couldn't be more thrilled with Caleb Downs.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, it's interesting, right, Because I think one of the things we did wonder about was what's their thought process with this is. Is it we'll be happy to get any of these blue chip guys. Did they have a specific preference and was it Caleb Downs? It seems pretty clear based on what. What we saw in this little ESPN doc that Caleb Downs was who they were specifically targeting the whole time and who they were hoping for. So.

[Marcus Mosher]

And we don't know if they're bored for sure, but it sounds like David Bailey was high on the board and then it sounds like Jeremiah Love and Mendoza, probably the other two guys. And there's been kind of whispers that Caleb Downs was was fourth and I always thought Arvel Reese was in that category, but it sure doesn't sound like it. And we thought Sonny Styles might be the target because of the position he plays and the need the Cowboys had there. But honestly, I think, I think for them, if they were trading up to six, it was going to be Caleb Downs no matter. No matter what.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, it sure sounds like that. And again, makes you even more excited for the fact that they got their guy without having to trade all the way up to six.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so let's talk about the Cowboys third round pick, Jayson Barham, the linebacker from Michigan. Where was he lining up during rookie minicamp? We'll get to that next. This episode is brought to you by indeed. Workplace Chaos. Deadline stacking up, inbox overflowing and the one position that you have to fill is still sitting open when the pressure's on and you need the right hire. This is a job for INDEED Sponsor Jobs. INDEED Sponsored Jobs helps you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for. Skills, experience, location. So you're not just hoping that the right candidate stumbles across your post. And here's a stat that says it all in the minute that I've been talking to you. Companies like yours have already made 27 hires on Indeed according to Indeed Data Worldwide. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidates who actually check all of your boxes with indeed Sponsored Jobs. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help give your job the premium status that it deserves@ Indeed.com podcast that is Indeed.com podcast terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs.

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[Marcus Mosher]

welcome back to the LOTON Cowboys podcast. Don't forget to check out the Everydayer Club for ad free episodes and access to a group chat with me and Landon and other listeners of the show. Tap the link in the show notes or go to locked on cowboys.supercast.com all right, later. This is the one that really got me excited. Jaysha Barham, the Cowboys linebacker from Michigan, played a couple different positions in college, including edge off ball linebacker. But it appears that the team is expected to use him as a middle linebacker. That's where he was working with Scott Simons, the Cowboys inside linebacker coach, and it seems like that's the plan for him moving forward.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And I think, you know, if you just, if you try to imagine how they're kind of cobbling together this role a little bit, let's back up. You know, one of the reasons that it felt like they needed to kind of move him around a little bit at Michigan and at Maryland is that he was good at run defense. He could run and flow to the ball. He was an excellent hitter, obviously very physical, but he struggled in coverage. Right. He just wasn't necessarily instinctual in coverage. And how do you solve that? You solve that by any time that they're throwing the football, you would just have him moving forward instead of backwards. Right. You have him attacking the pocket. So I, I think that, you know, what they're going to work on is trying to get him back into the flow of playing some off ball linebackers, linebacker, especially on early downs. And look, there's just going to be times, especially if he's playing some linebacker where he's going to be dropping into coverage. But I think the idea is that if you mix in enough pass rush and you know, him dropping down in sort of stem fronts as a nine technique like we've talked about, that you can limit his exposure as in coverage and then you kind of get the best of both worlds because. And honestly, you just look at the pictures that came out of Ricky Minicamp, he is absolutely enormous. Right. Like for, especially for a middle linebacker, he looks like Rolando McLean, you know, size.

[Marcus Mosher]

Hold on, hold on.

[Landon McCool]

Oh yeah, listen. I mean, I'm not, I'm not easily calling anyone a lot of a claim because I, I look the whole. Well, I think as well.

[Marcus Mosher]

But what, what's so drastic is looking at him compared like the Marvin Overshone.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

We're watching Dee Winters.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

Tape in San Francisco. Like he is just. He is, he's so much bigger than those guys.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And like if you're looking for that kind of extra physical presence to take on blockers and, and like come downhill in the run game. Like, he is going to be awesome. I think in that role specifically because I just don't think he's going to be blocked as easily and I think he's just going to wreak havoc on run games. Now again, there's a reason that they moved him more to the edge and it wasn't just because they felt like he was a solid pass rusher. It was to limit the exposure and pass coverage situation. So the Cowboys are going to need to find a work way to work around that a little bit. But I also think, do you think

[Marcus Mosher]

a way to mitigate that is just by not having him, him in man coverage a lot and just kind of have him occupying like the flats or the soft, you know, zones underneath?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think, you know, look, if you're going to put him in coverage, it's got to be a drop coverage thing, right? Like, yeah, I mean, otherwise just send him, just make him a part of pass rush in, you know, simulated places.

[Marcus Mosher]

And that's my concern is like, does, does he have any feel for zone coverage? And that's what makes like the really great linebackers like the Fred Warners and the Sean Lee's like specials. They just, they know what's going on behind them while they're also looking at the quarterback. I, I think they're gonna have to be with creative, at least with RM early in his career. So you don't get him in so many of those situations.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, look, it's, it's a, it's not, it's not a strength. There's a reason that this guy's a third round player and you know, not a first or second round player. So it's, you know, obviously coverage is a huge part of what linebackers do. So there's a reason that he did move from the position. But again, because of the way that he's going to be playing the position inside the Christian Parker defense, it just happens to accentuate what he does well and, and gives you the opportunity to kind of hide what he doesn't do.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, now I think it's interesting that they said a mike linebacker, right, because you look at the roster right now and there's not a lot of guys that profile as a traditional mike linebacker like Dee Winters has always been a weak side linebacker. He said he's never been a middle linebacker in his life. Demarvi and Overshone is a weak side linebacker. I think Shemar James Honestly, is better suited to be a weak side linebacker. They also don't have a green dot, you know, player, which is, you know, the player that calls the plays on defense. I can't imagine that that's going to be a Barham's role as a rookie. Like, that just seems like too much, but it feels like he's a guy that's probably going to be used a lot on early downs, coming downhill, and then maybe on passing downs, you sub in somebody else who's a little bit more gifted in coverage or you just move them to the edge and don't worry about him in coverage as much.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, look, if you're part of the mic, if you're, if you're playing Mike, you're part of the, the kind of triangle of communication that we talked about. No matter what. Right. Whether you have the green dot or not, you're definitely going to need to be involved in that communication. So I do think that there's another level to it with, with the green dot, and we'll see if, if he can earn that. I mean, that would be a difficult thing. But again, I think, you know, they've even opened to being, they've talked about being open about who can even wear the, the green dot if they want Caleb Downs to do that. You know, potentially in certain looks, when they have no mike linebackers in the game, they could certainly do that. You know, it's going to be interesting to see how they, how they solve this problem because obviously, traditionally the mike linebacker is the person who has that. You know, I think that Barham kind of fits the role of, of what you're looking for in a mike linebacker in a lot of different ways. But the kind of inexperience at linebacker and the kind of inexperience doing this is one way where you, you look at it a little bit sideways.

[Marcus Mosher]

So third round pick, like, that's just. Yeah, seems like a lot. Like, I already feel like they're going to put a lot on his plate, playing multiple positions, asking him to call the defense. He's just not going to be on the field enough to do that. You typically want your green dot player to be on the field 99 to 100 of the snaps. And that's why I keep wondering, like, are they just eventually going to give this to, like, Jalen Thompson, you know, a guy that they want to be on the field all the time anyways? I, I kind of wonder if that's where we're trending, if they're doing that

[Landon McCool]

Then they should just give it to Downs at this point, like.

[Marcus Mosher]

Because unless they just didn't want to load up a rookie, you know.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, but I mean, think about who it is. Again, think about what we said the first segment because honestly, I think I

[Marcus Mosher]

also wonder like, I mean, maybe I shouldn't wonder, but like, is Caleb Downs going to be a 99 snap player as a rookie? Maybe he will be. I don't know.

[Landon McCool]

I kind of feel like he will. I mean, just by the nature of the positions that he plays, safety and nickel, I think it's going to give him opportunities to play both. And even if you go break into the larger base, I'm sure he's one of the two safeties that you're deploying. So who knows? Like it's gonna be interesting question to solve because they don't have a clear answer here because of what we just talked about, the inexperience of the guy that you're trying to make Mike. Well, they don't have another natural Mike linebacker on the team necessarily.

[Marcus Mosher]

And that's why a lot of people are assuming that they're going to go out and like talk to Bobby Wagner, because Bobby Wagner plays a million snaps. He can be your traditional Mike linebacker. He could call the defense and then you kind of interchange winters and overshone a little bit. But at the same time, I don't really want Bobby Wagner on the field. 99 of the snaps either. No.

[Landon McCool]

You know, again, it's, it's kind of an interesting problem to solve. It's not like a big problem because I think you have ways that you can go if you need to, but you don't have a natural solution as it stands right now. So I think you're looking for kind of ways to cobble together the role until you absolutely need to make that pick. And that's the good news is that you don't really necessarily need to pick this. Like, this isn't something that you have to practice for long periods of time and training camper OTAs like you can get it once you, you know, a couple weeks, once you've been assigned it.

[Marcus Mosher]

Last question before we move on. How much do we expect Barham to play this year? Do you think it's going to be 30 of the snaps? Do you think it'll be more than that? Less than that?

[Landon McCool]

I really, you know, I'm, I, I have to say I'm struggling with it because I'm not. Is he going to like. I think the way I'm more looking at it is Is he going to be in the top three snap getters? Is he for linebacker? Is he gonna.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, right now I would say yes. But you know, who really throws a wrench in this whole thing is Shemar James. And it's just not that Shemar James is a great talent or anything like that, but he's only 21 years old and there's, there's a part of me that just wonders like, could it end up being James because he's the guy that maybe it has the best combination of size and athleticism that ends up being the middle linebacker? I don't know. But I, I've got no idea how this linebacker rotation is going to shake out.

[Landon McCool]

I think it's going to be formation based. You know, I, I think we're, we're being a little bit too myopic in this idea of the, a depth chart and like, that's how this is going to work when in reality, from what we've heard, their, their game plans are going to be game specific. And so it stands to reason that, that, that their, you know, lineups are also player specific. So I think it may wash out to something like 30%. I think that was a good number you threw out there. I think that's something to look for.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, let's talk about LT Overton, the Cowboys defensive tackle from Alabama. We'll get to that next. This episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA playoffs are here and every possession matters. And if you're looking to get closer to the action, FanDuel has a great offer to get you started right now. New customers can bet just $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. That's right. Turn five bucks into 150 and bonus bets just for getting started. I like using FanDuel during the NBA playoffs because it's everything I need is right there for the the action. The playoffs have been unbelievable. Multiple game sevens. The Lakers advancing to round two. Let's go, baby. You can check stats, trends and matchups before making your picks, which makes the whole experience feel a lot more informed. And whether you're looking at player props or just following your favorite stars, it adds another level of excitement to every single game. So head over to FanDuel.com to get started. FanDuel. Play your game.

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast. We are discussing the biggest takeaways from Ricky Minicamp. I have one little note on Malachi Lawrence I wanted to give you before we move on to lto Overton. Christian Parker said a lot of things about Malachi Lawrence. He said he plays with power, he's got great effort. But he said one of the things is you look at the three quarterbacks in our division, they're all highly athletic. So we wanted an edge rusher that can run sideline to sideline. I thought that was interesting and it was a point that I honestly, I did not think about pre draft that Jaden Daniels, Jackson Dart and Jalen Hurts are all really good athletes and you kind of need your edges to be able to make plays on those guys when they're scrambling. And, and maybe that's why some of these other names that we liked, like Keldrick Falk or TJ Parker, Lawrence is just far more athletic and a better chase down guy and that's why they went with him.

[Landon McCool]

Well, and I also think this, it actually kind of bleeds into the conversation with LT Overton really because this is why one of the reasons that Overton, they view as, as a defensive tackle and not an edge, because again, he doesn't necessarily have that kind of athleticism to chase guys like that, that have that athleticism. And again, who's the, who's the other guy that we drafted that, that we plan on playing in the edge? That's Barum, another guy that you, you want kind of chasing quarterbacks with this, with his speed and athleticism. So yeah, it stands to reason that, that they're looking for more speed on the edge because look, they're going to be playing a wider technique. They're going to be playing from further out. So they want guys who have explosiveness, who have already gained some momentum by the time that the, they engage with the tackle. And so they need explosive players like, like Lawrence.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so let's talk about LT Overton. This is a quote from Christian Parker who said Marcus Dixon, the Cowboys defensive line coach, has a good plan for him. They are, they are calling him a defensive tackle. Whether it's the three technique, playing the four eye or playing some five technique. We see a really versatile player. He's, he plays a violent style, he uses his hands well, he plays with a good power base. He's been in different alignments already, so we're just getting him more comfortable there. And I think that's Interesting. Go ahead.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I was just going to say like not to toot my own horn, honestly, but I feel like I've had, I've had a vision for this player and it's this, this whole time, even going back to the Senior bowl, like I think for, for what you're looking for. And again, it's just about finding useful players in this draft. And, and normally you, you draft a fourth round player and it's like, you know, the, the idea of him playing is just, is kind of ridiculous. They were able to go out and get a guy who I think is going to be their, what do you want to call it, their fourth defensive tackle maybe. But he's going to play fifth, right? Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

You've got, you've got Quinn and Williams, Kenny Clark, double O and then probably Bullards that fourth, right?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I guess so. I mean I, I, I, I kind of wasn't counting double O because I was thinking of him as a nose tackle.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah. Traditional defensive tackle.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. Because I don't think, I don't think Overton is necessarily playing that right. So he's playing the kind of everything from like I would say two eye out, right?

[Marcus Mosher]

Yes.

[Landon McCool]

Two out of five, like you said.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yes.

[Landon McCool]

And I think that that's really where, you know, he, if you watch his tape and you watch him play, he plays with such power. He's coming into the NFL with a lot of power already. He's got enough explosion at, at his size not to maybe press the pocket from the edge but, but get into a gap and put the guards and tackles into, into disadvantageous positions that then use his strength to help blow up run schemes. I just think that he is going to be, to go out in the fourth round and get a 21 year old who can come in and play the role of the kind of dirty work defensive tackle who's part of a rotation. Like that's, that's good drafting man. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, because normally for the Cowboys they would have drafted a high upside athlete guy that they're trying to like, you know, develop and see if they can get something. And there's nothing wrong with doing that. But if you look at the timeline that the Cowboys are on, they need good players that are ready to play now and to get a guy like LT Overton again, he's never probably going to be a six to eight sack guy maybe, maybe at best. But he'll come in and give you extremely good rotational snaps as a defensive tackle in the run game. He'll push the pocket a little bit and he'll be a useful, useful player that you got in the fourth round, which I think is. Which is a really great job by the Cowboys.

[Marcus Mosher]

Do you think this is like their discount version of Chauncey Golston or the player that they were hoping that Chauncey Golston would become?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. I mean, in a different kind of defense. Yeah, exactly. Whereas Goldstein was this, you know, finesse, kind of explosive guy that you never really was a power player. Right. But that fit for what they were doing in that defense. Right. It's a one gap scheme completely. You're just trying to get in field. You could move Golson inside. He could give you pass rush there. He could do a little bit of something on the edge if you needed him there. I think it's that. That way. Except sub infinite and quickness with strength and power. And I think that's what Overton does. Even though he's not £300, he's quick enough that he can, you know, again, think about what we're doing. Gap in the half. We're getting in the gap and we're being strong against the player. We're controlling the block. That's exactly what he can do. He get off the ball quickly and then use his strong hands to control player in the gap to. To read what's going on.

[Marcus Mosher]

So again, if he's the fourth defensive tackle, not counting double O, you're looking at probably 10 to 15 snaps. Probably a lot of those are on goal line, short yardage, early down stuff where you're not asking him to be a pass rusher at all. And I think that's where Overton can have some value for the Cowboys. We'll see.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think real quick, I think if you give him a game plan that where you need a little bit of heavier defensive line, he'll play that big end. He can play a little bit of three if you need him. He'll be a useful player week in and week out.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Locked on Cowboys your first listen every single day. If you never miss an episode, the everyday club is built for you. Get locked on Cowboys ad free members only. Discord access. Head over to lockdown cowboys.supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24. 7 national NBA YouTube channel. And on audio, make your second listen the Locked on NFL Draft podcast. Follow Landon on Twitter @McCool BCB. I'm @Marcus Underscore Mosher. We'll see you right back here tomorrow.

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[Marcus Mosher]

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[Ross Jackson]

What's up everybody? This is Ross Jackson, one of the hosts of the Locked On Podcast Network and if you haven't heard yet, we started a club and we would love for you to jo join. It's called the Everydayer Club and one of the things that you get as a member is an ad free version of the podcast that you're listening to right now. It works with whatever podcast app you already use. Same episodes every day, just no ads. There's also a members only group chat for fans of your team, plus a lot more. You can check it out by tapping the Everydayer Club link in the show notes.