PASS RUSH: Dallas Cowboys Take THREE EDGE Rushers During 2026 NFL Draft!

Summary

Locked On Cowboys Podcast — PASS RUSH: Dallas Cowboys Take THREE EDGE Rushers During 2026 NFL Draft!

Date: April 28, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool, Locked On Podcast Network

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys’ approach to pass rush in the 2026 NFL Draft, highlighting their selection of three edge rushers: Malachi Lawrence, Jayson Barham, and LT Overton. Marcus and Landon break down each pick, dissect their fit with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s multifaceted scheme, and discuss their expected developmental trajectory and immediate role on the roster.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Malachi Lawrence (First Round, Pick 23) — Instant Impact & Ceiling

Skillset and Fit with Cowboys

• Landon is “still really excited” about Lawrence, praising his physical tools, hand usage, and especially his length:
  • “He’s one of the guys that you feel like has the skill set and the physical tools to really be one of the better pass rushers in this class if he kind of hits his ceiling.” [02:02]
• Lawrence’s hand technique is noticeably advanced for a young rusher:
  • “He had some advanced hand usage. He has really long arms which he knows how to use. It’s not all perfect and clean, but…I think he’s got enough to kind of be effective at rushing the passer…right away.” [02:07]
• Projected as a “wide nine edge rusher, a guy that’s in a two point stance…just standing on his two feet out wide rushing the passer.” [04:41]

Draft Decision & Comparison with Other Prospects

• Marcus reports the Cowboys were ready to take Lawrence as early as pick 20 over other notable rushers (Mazador, Falk, Parker, Howe, Thomas). [03:13]
• Landon attributes this to athletic upside: “Those guys are too old and unathletic.” [03:57]
• Marcus believes Lawrence is the most athletically gifted, saying,
  • “Of the three, Lawrence is probably the least refined but he’s also the most athletically gifted and has the best measurables. So this is clearly taking a shot on a guy with the highest ceiling.” [04:44]

Expectations as a Rookie

• Landon expects Lawrence to be a situational pass rusher, especially on third-and-longs:
  • “On third and longs…I think he’s definitely one of the best four pass rushers…just with that speed.” [09:13]
• Both hosts see run defense as the developmental area, but the physical toolbox is tantalizing.

Production & Athletic Metrics

• Marcus:
  • “A 1.57 10-yard split, that is better than Arvel Reese, David Bailey, Keldrick Falk, even Cassius Howe…that is the best in the class.” [08:08]
• Landon: “He’s good with his hands…He uses his hands well for an inexperienced player.” [08:28]
• Marcus: “When he was split out wide…and can use his length, he can be really dangerous.” [08:37]

Role Development

• Landon:
  • “By the end of your first rookie season I think he could be…the starter at the position…because I think he has that much more room to grow.” [05:34]
• Marcus likens him stylistically:
  • “Think like Josh Sweat who was with the Eagles…that kind of guy: height, weight, speed, long arms.” [10:04]

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2. Jayson Barham (Third Round) — Violent Hybrid for a Modern Defense

Physicality and Play Style

• Landon gushes about Barham’s violence:
  • “Violence is the first thing I’ll say. Just violent…he will jolt people with his hand strikes.” [12:49]
• Versatility is a theme: he’ll play a “hybrid linebacker-edge position” in a role reminiscent of “Eagles defenses” with linebacker-walk-down concepts. [12:59]

College Background & Usage

• Most of his college snaps came as off-ball LB, but he “flies to the football.”
• Marcus’ stats:
  • “47 career starts, 82 pressures, 11 sacks, 19 hits, 52 hurries, 107 run stops in four years.” [15:55]
• High run defense grades (87.2 and 90.4 in last two years). [16:45]
• Noted coverage limitations; Landon calls him a “point and shoot linebacker”:
  • “You don’t want him read and reacting…You want him attacking the pocket, destroying blocking schemes…” [17:26]

Role and Fit in Dallas

• Landon:
  • “His play style specifically…is just something, that attitude, that Cowboys frankly were missing.” [14:58]
  • “When he plays linebacker, he’s going to be this oversized, heavy-handed, downhill linebacker. When he’s on the edge, he’s going to be an edge setter…just because he’s so physical and strong.” [14:38]
• Marcus expects him to be a “playmaker,” but not thrust into a full-time role immediately.

Weight and Positional Projection

• Barham bulked up from 240 to 251 lbs pre-draft, but may trim down based on role. [18:26]
• Both agree he's best in an attacking, active role rather than as a “hand-in-the-dirt” edge. [19:31]
• Expect him to be deployed as a spy vs. mobile QBs and on run/pursuit downs.

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3. LT Overton (Fourth Round) — Versatile Depth & Power over Quickness

Background and Scouting

• Overton started at Texas A&M, transferred to Alabama, and participated in the Senior Bowl. [21:10]
• Marcus notes he was once thought a potential first-rounder but play dropped off in 2025:
  • “There was a point last year…people thought he was a lock first round pick…the play dropped off…but he’s only 21 years old, 6’3”, 287 lbs.” [21:10]

Fit in Defensive Front

• Landon lauds his versatility for Christian Parker’s scheme:
  • “He has the versatility to play from…the 7 all the way down into 2…he could play some shade for you.” [21:56]
• Overton brings power, not pass-rush juice:
  • “That is the trait that he relies upon most, the ability to jolt with his hands and lock out…He has enough explosion in his lower body to get into a gap and control the player.” [22:56]
• Not expected to be a gap-shooter or sack-getter: “If you’re expecting him to be a seven or eight sack defensive tackle, that’s not what he does.” [23:30]

Immediate and Long-Term Outlook

• Marcus:
  • “He’s not quick…ran a 4.94 at his pro day…just not going to give you a lot of pass rush upside…But I do think he’s going to be part of the rotation.” [24:50]
• Landon highlights value as a high-floor rotational player:
  • “I wouldn’t be shocked if the first few weeks Overton was playing more snaps than Lawrence…simply because he’s a useful player.” [26:24]
• Best football might be years away as he matures physically:
  • Marcus: “I do wonder if his best football is going to come five, six years from now when he gets a lot stronger.” [27:00]
• Danico Autry–type comp as someone who will have NFL longevity as a versatile role player. [27:56]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lawrence’s Upside:
  • “He has the ability to eventually develop into a ten plus sack guy.” — Landon McCool [02:02]
• On Draft Philosophy:
  • “Of the three, Lawrence…has the highest ceiling and they believe their coaching staff can get more out of him than guys…who are more ready to go.” — Marcus Mosher [04:44]
• On Barham’s Attitude:
  • “He’s just extremely violent. He clearly loves to hit people.” — Landon McCool [14:58]
• On Overton’s Projection:
  • “Your options [in the 4th round] are uber athletic upside plays or guys with no ceiling…Overton’s going to be able to come in and play snaps for you right away.” — Landon McCool [26:23]
• On Power vs. Speed at DT:
  • “The guys that can play with power in their hands, they play in the league for a really long time.” — Landon McCool [27:27]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:02] Landon’s in-depth Malachi Lawrence scouting report
• [03:13] Marcus on why Dallas prioritized Lawrence over other rushers
• [04:41] Delineation of unique roles for each “edge” draftee
• [08:08] Marcus details Lawrence’s standout athletic numbers
• [09:13] Lawrence’s expected immediate role in pass rush rotation
• [12:49] Beginning of the Jayson Barham breakdown — “Just violent”
• [15:55] Marcus runs through Barham’s college stats, run stop prowess
• [17:26] Landon: Barham as “point and shoot” linebacker/blitzer
• [18:26] Barham’s fluctuating weight and projected playing spot
• [21:10] Introduction to LT Overton’s background and draft context
• [21:56] Landon on Overton’s schematic value and versatility
• [24:50] Marcus and Landon manage expectations for Overton’s early impact
• [27:27] Discussion on how strength extends DT careers

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Summary

This episode offers a comprehensive look at how the Cowboys addressed pass rush in the 2026 draft, not just adding talent but also diversity of skillset to a defense being reshaped by Christian Parker. Malachi Lawrence is expected to be an explosive pass rush option with huge upside, Jayson Barham brings a needed violent edge and hybrid versatility, while LT Overton adds reliable depth and power up front. The hosts stress developmental potential and scheme fit, projecting immediate impact for Lawrence and Barham’s physicality as a culture setter, with Overton filling the vital "glue guy" role in the trenches.

The tone throughout is energetic and optimistic, but with clear-eyed evaluation about each pick’s strengths, weaknesses, and likely progression in the NFL. This episode is a must-listen (or read) for any Cowboys fan looking to understand the strategic thinking behind these draft selections — and what to expect this fall.

Transcript

[Landon McCool]

It's the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day.

[Marcus Moer]

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[Marcus Moer]

The Dallas Cowboys drafted three, well, two and a half edge rushers over the weekend. We'll tell you about their expected roles next. You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. Welcome back. I am your host Marcus Moer. He is Lana McCool and and on today's show, we're taking a look at the three edge rushers that the Dallas Cowboys selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. We'll talk about LT Overton and where he's expected to play and then Jayson Barham and the all the different roles that I'm sure Christian Parker has ready for him. But I want to start with Malachi Lawrence and we touched on this a little bit on Thursday night after the draft. But now that we've had a couple days to think about his fitness, his role, how do you feel about the Lawrence pick number one? What's your scouting report and how do you envision him fitting in with Christian Parker?

[Landon McCool]

I'm still really excited. I mean I think you watch him play and and he's one of the guys that you feel like has the skill set and the physic and the physical tools to really be one of the better pass rushers in this class if he kind of hits his ceiling. But he also comes in kind of ready made in some ways as a pass rusher. I think he had some advanced hand usage. He has really long arms which he knows how to use. It's not all, it's not all perfect and clean, but I think he comes in with an amount of explosion already refined enough hand usage and then you add in the long arms and I think he's got enough to kind of be effective at rushing the passer, you know, right away. Maybe if he's not, you know, maybe a fully formed, you know, complete pass rusher. But I do think that he has the ability to eventually develop into a ten plus sack guy. I mean, I think he has that kind of capability. And the question becomes where does he go with his run defense from here? Because that's kind of where we have more questions. But I think a lot of them could be answered by him simply playing more run snaps. So it'll be interesting to see how he develops there.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah, I want to back you back up a little bit because the Cowboys picked him at 23. All the reports are that they actually were fine taking him at pick 20, which first of all, I find it fascinating that they, they liked him more than guys like Hakeem Mazador from Miami, Keldrick Falk from Auburn, who was a guy that was getting a lot of kind of buzz in regards to the Cowboys. We heard some whispers that maybe that's the guy that Cowboys would consider at pick at pick 12. Even for TJ Parker, Cassius Howe or Mason Thomas. All those guys come off the board early in the second round. Do you agree with that decision to draft him over those guys or do you think it's just a, hey, they're taking a shot on upside here?

[Landon McCool]

Well, I was told by somebody that those guys are too old and unathletic to. To be drafted in the late 20s, so.

[Marcus Moer]

Goodness.

[Landon McCool]

Well, listen, here's the thing. We do need to take this opportunity to kind of break out part of the, the thesis of this whole episode, which is that you mentioned that they drafted three guys who had edge next to their name. But these three guys are all playing very different positions. And I actually think that that is relative to this because I think Keldrick Falk is probably fitting more into the LT Overton role that he would be into the role that Malachi Lawrence occupies. So I mean, or there's at least that cape, he has that capability to potentially do that. Right. So go ahead.

[Marcus Moer]

I would say, I think the, the job that Malachi Lawrence is going to do, which is going to be your basically for the most part, your wide nine edge rusher, a guy that's in a two point stance. I mean, he's just standing on his two feet out wide rushing the passer. I really feel like there was only kind of three players in that range that you would consider. And the other two are our Mason Thomas, who's six one, 240 pounds and Cassius how who's six three 250 pounds who I really really like but he's got short arms right. Of the three, Lawrence is probably the least refined but he's also the most athletically gifted and he also has the best measurable. So this is clearly taking a shot on a guy that has the highest ceiling and they believe their coaching staff can get more out of him than guys like Thomas and how who are more ready to go.

[Landon McCool]

I honestly I'd argue that Lawrence is already a better run defender than those two guys as well and and has more upside to go, a lot of upside to go as he goes that route. So I think that that's the, the key thing is that Lawrence when you take him at 23rd overall, maybe you know, early on you plan on playing him like early early in the season you plan on just kind of deploying him as a defensive pass rusher which would be you know, a very similar role to those other two guys. I think the difference is by the end of your of your first rookie season I think he could be you know, the starter at the position playing the full time snaps and taking on the run run defensive stuff as well because I think he has that much more room to grow.

[Marcus Moer]

And I, I should mention TJ Parker in here just because he did go 35th to Buffalo. We both actually like Parker a little bit, but his game is more based on power set the edge. The Cowboys desperately needed somebody that could really threaten offensive tackles with speed. Now if they didn't sign or excuse me trade for Rashawn Gary, I think Parker would have made a lot more sense but they really needed the guy that can provide that explosiveness off the edge. And I think when it comes down to Lawrence how and Thomas he just has the highest ceiling of the three and I believe he's the youngest of the three as well.

[Landon McCool]

And I could be wrong too but I think you know we usually measure a lot of this stuff in a lot of different ways. Verticals, broad jumps and the 10 yard split is obviously is a real big one that we measure. I'm pretty sure he had the best 10 yard split of that trio if I'm not mistaken as well. I think he may have had the second or third best 10 yard split in the entire class as far as defensive ends. So yeah, I mean there's just, there's a lot of traits here. There wasn't a ton of production just because he's still young player in the sense that he's still young to playing. I think the position in football. So. But there's, there's just so much upside and the tape is good. It's not like you see bad tape. It's just he didn't have the same kind of production in SEC the way you want it. But this is a guy that, I also think that you could stand up and kind of play in some of the, you know, peekaboo, a gap stuff that they, that they do as well. So yeah, definitely a nine technique. A guy who's going to attack the edge, who's going to be a pass rusher is going to threaten and be like your high side, high side pass, high side pocket attacker basically. But on the other, on the other side of it, I think he can also develop into a nice, well rounded player who you could deploy on first and second downs as well.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah, a 1, 5, 7, 10 yard split that is better than Arvel Reese 158, David Bailey 162, Keldrick Falk 168, even Cassius Howe 158. So I mean I believe looking at it right now, that is the best in the class. He also has I think like the third longest wingspan of any of the edge rushers in the class.

[Landon McCool]

And he's good with his hands too. Like it's not just useless, you know, inches. He's, he's good at things, swipe and knockdowns. He uses his hands well for an inexperienced player.

[Marcus Moer]

One other note, at least for me, I watched all of his pressures on Monday and the scheme just didn't do him very many favors because a lot of times he's lined up as you know, it's a five technique or a four eye and it's just, it's really hard to bend in those situations and use your athleticism. But when you, when he was split out wide and he can convert that speed to power, he can use his length, he can be really dangerous. My question for you is what are you expecting from him as a rookie? Because they do have at least two guys ahead of him. Donovan, Azaraku, Rashan, Gary, who are expected to start. What are we expecting out of Lawrence?

[Landon McCool]

I mean, I think he could be a guy that, that is your, your, your quick win pass rusher right away. Like I think he could be part of the rotation. I mean honestly on third and longs. I think he's definitely one of the best four pass rushers that you, you would want out there just with that speed. Right? So yeah, I, I think you're gonna, I mean you're gonna get the value of that first round pick in his pass rush early as he develops into a more complete player. But ultimately like the bottom line with this guy, the reason you drafted in the first round, this guy's a pass rusher. He's gonna come after the quarterback. He's explosive. You know, he's not Von Miller, but he is the guy that can get you could be your, your number one to develop into being your number one sack threat who can press the pocket and certainly threaten a quarterback early while you have two interior guys collapsing the pocket around him.

[Marcus Moer]

Think like Josh Sweat who was with the Eagles with the Cardinals. Like that kind of guy, like height, weight, speed, long arms. Yep, he can be powerful. You're hoping he becomes more technically sound as a run defender, but I honestly, I just don't expect him to be used that way at least very often early in his career.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, you don't need it too because you have guys that you already have on your roster. Rashawn Gary is going to be an excellent run player. So you just, I, I think that if you need him there, he could do it. I just don't think, I think you have guys who can do that specifically a bit better than all right, let's

[Marcus Moer]

talk about Jayson Barham, the Cowboys third round pick out of Michigan. I know when we talk about Michigan defenders, people just roll their eyes. He's quite different than the other players that they've had in the past. We'll talk about his scouting report next. This episode is brought to you by Rugby. The NFL draft was amazing this weekend. It was so much fun. And it's where preparation meets opportunity and every decision matters. It's all about being ready when your moment comes. And that same mindset applies off the field too. And that's where rouge it comes in Rouge. It offers treatments designed to help you feel ready and confident when it matters the most. Their top option, Rouge yet ready is a mint that dissolves under your tongue. With clinically proven ingredients, it works quickly, usually in about 15 minutes or so. It's and the effects can last up to 36 hours. And they also offer Go long designed to help with both performance and control. It's all about all about showing up at your best whenever that moment is. Head over to rui.com lot NFL and get 15% off your ED treatment. That's R U G I-t.com lot NFL for 15% off Rouge Performance Medicine for Met

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[Marcus Moer]

Welcome back to the Lathon Cowboys Podcast. Don't forget to check out the Everydayer Club where you're going to get ad free episodes and access to a discord chat with Landon and I and other listeners of the show. Just go to Loton cowboys.supercast.com or tap in the link in the show notes to learn more. All right, Landon, give us the, the skinny on Jayson Barham. The Michigan defensive weapons, what we're going to call them.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, you know, listen, just violence is the first, is the first thing I'll say. Just violent. He just, he, he likes to hit. He, he likes to get his hands on folks. He, he will jolt people with his hand strikes. He's got long arms and, and then as far as where he's going to play, I, it's obviously very interesting question. I think the Cowboys have a very interesting answer. Right. He's going to be playing this kind of hybrid linebacker edge position. You know, we've, we've seen it, you know, manifest itself in some of these Eagles defenses where they, they line up with two off ball linebackers. One of them walks down to the nine technique to kind of create another surface like a 6:1 or a 5:1 surface and then you become a rusher and then, and then, you know, you line up that same way on the next snap and you don't walk down. So I think he, you know, the interesting thing here is that he is definitely more well versed at being a linebacker. He spent most of his college career playing linebacker. He was determined to not be not terribly instinctual and to the point where they felt like they needed to find a way to keep him on the field so they'd kept him as an edge rusher. He's very, very, very raw in that sense and I think that that's, that sort of kind of in between nature is why he gets taken in the third round. But man, if you watch his tape, he's just so much fun and I think he's going to be a fan favorite just because his play, playstyle is so violent and, and really the Cowboys have desperately needed a player like this. You know, I, I think at times we, we've, we've had guys like, you know, Donovan Wilson who have kind of served in this role. I, I really remember J.J. wilcox being a guy that is just, you know, adds a little bit of needed chaos to your defense. I think that this guy could be that where he's just a tone setter, a physical presence in the middle of. When he plays linebacker, he's going to be this oversized, heavy handed downhill linebacker. When he's on the edge, he's, he's going to be an edge setter despite, you know, being slightly undersized just because he's so physical and strong. He's explosive. He's, you know, he's, that's the other thing that's a great addition is that we talked about it as a pass rush. You needed more explosion on the edge. And I feel like obviously you added it with Lawrence, but I think you've also added it with him here. He can get off the ball quickly, he can threaten the quarterback quickly from the edge. So yeah, he's, I love it because it really does feel like he, he fits kind of half of both needs a little bit and he adds color to the, to both rooms that you need. And I think his play style specifically is just something that attitude that, that, that Cowboys frankly were missing from a lot of. And I feel like a lot of just to kind of comment. I feel like a lot. Almost all these defenders play with an edge. Play with a, with a kind of. This guy like more so than all of them though. He's just extremely violent. He clearly loves to hit people.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah, I mean, I'm with you a couple stats on him really quickly. He's a four year player, but he's only 22 years old. He has started 47 games over the last four years, which is pretty unbelievable. He's missed just a couple games here and there. Most of his snaps have come at linebacker, off ball linebacker, and yet 82 total pressures in his career, which is a significant amount. 11 sacks, 19 hits, 52 hurries though my favorite stat, 107 run stops of the last four years. And again that's with him playing edge mostly in 2025. He is a guy that just flies to the football. I mean he absolutely flies to it. I think what you're nervous about is the, some of the coverage stuff.

[Landon McCool]

Exactly.

[Marcus Moer]

And that's, that's got to get cleaned up. But his, he's been a really good run defender despite being smaller. 87.2 run stop grade in 2024, 90.4 in 2025. He misses some tackles and it's partially just because he's playing at a ridiculous speed. Like he just needs to slow down a little bit. Yeah, he's not a polished player yet, but he's so dynamic that I can't wait to see how he's used. And the great thing is I don't think he's going to be forced to being a full time player a little bit. And I think Christian Parker and the defensive staffs can kind of sprinkle him in as he's ready. But I do think he's a playmaker.

[Landon McCool]

We've talked about it before. He's, he's the classic point and shoot linebacker, right? Like you don't want him read and reacting. You don't want him, you know, trying to, to read a running back's hips out of the backfield in coverage. You don't want him having to be instinctual and flowing to the football from the backside like a will linebacker. You want him attacking the pocket destroying blocking schemes whether that's in the run game or in the pass game. You want him as the, the tip of your spear, not, not as someone let, let the read and react be done on the backside by Caleb Downs. He'll get, he'll get that down done for us. Like this is a guy that you're, you're using to destroy blocking schemes to take on, to take on the edge to, to be a physical presence and, and I think if the Cowboys can find ways to deploy him that way which I, I certainly think they can, man, I just think he's going to be a player that really adds something to this defense that it doesn't really have at the linebacker spot right now.

[Marcus Moer]

One thing that's fascinating is he was 240 pounds at his, at the NFL combine and ran a 4 6, 4 at his pro day he was 251 pounds. So he gained 11 pounds in like three weeks. I don't know if he was trying to bulk up to play edge in the NFL more team saw him as an edge. I mean it's clear the Cowboys view of him as a guy that could play both. And I wonder if you're going to see him start cutting some weight and trying to get back down to 240, 242 pounds.

[Landon McCool]

It's interesting because again I think I shared with everyone that my initial reaction when I saw his name was oh good, they're, they're playing him at edge because I wasn't sure because they're of, of all the back and forth that had gone on. But I, I agree with you. I think you know it's going to be a situation where he's going to be, I think they even talked about he's going to start at linebacker. So I would imagine that he ends up at, you know, 245 or, or less potentially. Yeah, I think so. With the idea that when he's on the edge, you know, he still has the physical oomph to that to kind of control tackles as he.

[Marcus Moer]

And I just don't even know like how much he's going to be playing as a, you know, ed setting player.

[Landon McCool]

Like a, like putting his hand in the dirt. Like actually I don't like, I don't see that.

[Marcus Moer]

Like I think you're better off having him be more explosive and dynamic because that's how he wins and letting him be the guy that's, you know, chasing the read option stuff and chasing quarterbacks and being this quarterbacks, you know, the spy. When you play Jaden Daniels and, and Jalen hurts, I think that's just a much better job for him.

[Landon McCool]

There's a real difference between lining up as a seven technique, you know, and, and, and being out a little bit wider as a nine where you get some room to get some headway. But by the time you engage with the tackle. So yeah, I agree.

[Marcus Moer]

All right, let's talk about LT Overton. Probably the player that we disagree the most on in this year's draft. I'll tell you why. Next,

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[Marcus Moer]

Welcome back to the Lot Done Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. Landon let's talk about the Cowboys 4th round pick LT Overton from Alabama. He started his career at Texas A M. He was part of a wild recruiting class that had guys like Mars Stewart, Walter Nolan Turner eventually made his way to Alabama. There was a point last year in 2024 where a lot of people thought he was like a lock first round pick and maybe a top 20 pick the play dropped off in 20, 25, but he's only 21 years old. He's a big guy at the pro day. Six three, 287 pounds. How does he fit in?

[Landon McCool]

You know, when he. He was a Senior bowl guy, right? Because that's where I remember seeing him. I can't remember if it was Senior Bowl. Yes. Senior Bowler or the other one. But yeah, he. I remember watching him at the Senior bowl and thinking, this is a guy who could really be a good fit for what the Cowboys are looking for. And the reason is because when they're going to be doing. We've talked about some of the Christian Parker playbook and some of the techniques that they're going to use to deploy and they use every part of the Buffalo. They use every technique to try to get an advantage on the offensive. One of them that we've talked about, we just referenced it with Barham, right. Is the stemming, right? The idea that right before the snap everybody shifts down a gap and you now are suddenly presenting a whole new defensive front than you were just moments before the snap goes off. Right. And I think that this is going to be a real key. Key to that whole situation because this is another guy who you feel like has the versatility to play from, let's say the. I don't know if I would play him very much at 7, but he could play out there all the way down into two. I mean, honestly, he could play some shade for you just in that kind of quick, you know, on the center sort of roll if you need to inside at, you know, right outside the guards, I mean, in the center. So I just think he has the kind of versatility and body that's useful, especially in this game because he can play a whole bunch of different techniques. He can rush the passer from a couple different spots. He's does. He's doesn't, you know, he doesn't register as a very good athlete because I think that we still struggle as a community to measure strength and power in these players. And I think he. That is the trait that he relies upon the most is that he has the same kind of jolting hands and the ability to kind of lock out. So. And he has enough explosion in his lower body that he can get into a gap and do exactly what we talk about when we talk about gap and halfing, where it's getting into the gap, controlling it and controlling the player like he. That's something specifically I think he does well. But if you're going to Ask him to be, you know, a three tech pass rusher who's consistently getting up, up the field to try to get the sacks. Or if you're expecting him to kind of be at some sort of seven or eight sack defensive tackle, that's not really what he does. But I think again, in a role where he's playing behind, you know, neck and next to guys like Kenny Clark and, and, and Quinn Williams, I think you're, you're looking for somebody who can just be a more versatile piece, come in on a rotational basis, give you solid snaps as a run defender, and then give you something as a pass rusher, you know, from inside the tackle. Maybe it's from the four eye, maybe it's from the three technique. Maybe you're not like the, the number one pass rush option, but you're at least pushing the pocket and you're doing something there.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah, I need to give him probably more credit than I do because he is very young and these guys, it's, it's, it's really funny, Landon, because a lot of these guys, like they need to get NFL strong, they're strong for college players and then if they can stay in the league until they get to be like 25, 26 years old, it's like they get like the man's strength, right? And then they're able to play forever in the NFL. There's a, there's a bunch of these guys that are 33, 34 years old that you've really never heard of. They just continue to get one year contracts because there's value in run stopping defensive linemen who can play, you know, five technique, four I, they could slide inside and play three, you know, the three technique if needed. It's just those first couple years can be really rocky as they're trying to get strong enough to play in the NFL. And he's not, he's not quick. I mean he ran a 494 at his pro day. He's just not going to give you a lot of pass rush upside. So what does it look like in year one and year two? I don't know. I do think he's going to be part of the rotation, but I'm also not expecting a bunch either.

[Landon McCool]

But 494, like what was, what did

[Marcus Moer]

he weigh in his pro day to 287.

[Landon McCool]

So he's like 290 pounds and he ran a, you know, a sub 5 second 40.

[Marcus Moer]

It's not great.

[Landon McCool]

It's not great, it's not quick. But I mean again, like it's, it's, it, it clears the bar. Right. And again, you're taking this guy as a fourth rounder. Right. I think the difference to me is that comp four.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah. I mean, even.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, yeah, even, exactly. So basically a fifth rounder. So I guess the point being like your options at that point in the draft are uber athletic upside plays or guys who have no ceiling, really, who have a nice kind of floor, and I think that's where Overton is, is that Overton's going to be able to come in and play snaps for you right away. Not all of these guys. You should be able to say that. I mean, I wouldn't be shocked if the first few weeks Overton was playing more snaps than, than Lawrence. Right. Simply because he's a useful player. Maybe not high leverage snaps, but just, you know, snaps. Right.

[Marcus Moer]

I just wonder with this guy you mentioned. Like, he's not, he doesn't have the highest ceiling. I agree with you. But I, I do wonder if his best football is going to come like five, six years from now and he just gets a lot stronger. And that's the rub is like, yeah, can you find a way to have him be an effective player until he becomes that strong? I mean, there's lots of defensive tackles in the league that just don't get their strength again, their NFL strength, until you're four year, five, year six in their career.

[Landon McCool]

It's, it's, it's what it is is that he's got, he's got a little bit ways to grow, right? But then that's the thing that they say, right? Like strength doesn't leave you. Like, so you could play as a power player forever, right? But if your game is based on quickness, you know, yes, you, you hit high heights, but you also fade very quickly because all it takes is one knee injury and you're suddenly not as explosive. The guys that can win and play with power in their hands, they play in the league for a really long time.

[Marcus Moer]

I could see him being like a Danico Autry type of player who's I think going to be 36 this year, bounce around the league on, you know, one year deals, but is always a functional NFL player. Wouldn't be surprised if that's what he turns into. All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Lockdown Cowboys your first listen every single day. Make sure you download the podcast, subscribe so you get all of the latest episodes. And if you never miss an episode, the everyday club is built for you. Get locked on Cowboys ad free members only, discord access and so much more. 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 24.7national 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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[Ross Jackson]

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