Locked On Cowboys – "SHAKE-UP: Dallas Cowboys MOVE Marist Liufau, TJ Bass TRADE Rumors HEAT Up At NFL Combine!"
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: February 27, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode centers on significant Dallas Cowboys roster developments discussed at the NFL Combine, with special focus on Brian Schottenheimer’s recent press conference. The primary topics are position changes for Marist Liufau and Donovan Azaraku, and trade/roster implications for interior lineman TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman. The hosts deliver in-depth analysis of these moves, reflecting on the team's defensive and offensive roster-building strategies for the coming season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Marist Liufau Moved to Outside Linebacker
- [01:38-06:30]
- News: Brian Schottenheimer announced Marist Liufau and Donovan Azaraku will play outside linebacker in Christian Parker’s new defense.
- Analysis:
- Liufau was drafted as an off-ball linebacker, but now shifts outside—indicating Parker and staff don't view him as a fit inside.
- Landon points out Liufau’s physicality and straight-line attacking are better suited to the edge, especially given scheme needs, but tempers expectations for a breakout.
- Marcus highlights the broader concern: Dallas is thin at off-ball linebacker with multiple players (Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Damone Clark) hitting free agency, leaving only DeMarvion Overshown and Shemar James. Shifting Liufau doesn’t help depth at a position of need.
- Sense is the move is a last-ditch fit attempt—a "throw stuff at the wall" strategy.
- Landon underlines Liufau’s special teams contributions as his key to making the 53-man roster.
- Notable Quote:
"That was a very nice and political way of saying hey, we don't know what to do with this guy. We're just, we're throwing things against the wall..."
— Marcus Mosher [04:08] - Memorable Moment:
- The hosts compare Liufau’s situation to the annual “wide receiver five/six” camp battles ("It really doesn't matter what your role is on defense… he's going to make this team if he's good on special teams." — Marcus, 06:30).
2. TJ Bass, Brock Hoffman, and Potential Trades
- [09:26-12:23]
- News: Following praise from Schottenheimer, Dallas placed a second-round tender on TJ Bass, guaranteeing him $5.8M for 2026—a significant sum for a backup guard.
- Context: Interior OL depth has been a Cowboys' strength; both Bass and Hoffman have played key reserve roles.
- Discussion:
- Landon suggests the heavy investment means one (Bass or Hoffman) is likely trade bait. Keeping both under second-round tenders would cost nearly $14M.
- Both hosts agree Bass is the more valuable player and trade asset—he’s seen as a starting-caliber guard in the NFL.
- Trade Value: Landon at first proposes late Day 2 (third round), Marcus argues early Day 3 (fourth round) is more realistic.
- Potential scenarios: Packaging picks to move into the third round for defensive help; teams like the Raiders mentioned as likely partners.
- Both are mildly curious if Bass could ascend to a starting role if not traded.
- Notable Quotes:
"It's a lot of money to have to spend—what would it be, almost $14 million for both of them to be on the second-round tender?"
— Landon McCool [10:30]
"Of the two, which one do you think would get more in a trade and which would you prefer to have back in 2026?"
— Marcus Mosher [11:31]
"The answer to both, I think, is Bass... I think that Bass is more of a true guard. Hoffman could play guard in certain, maybe more zone-based schemes... but Bass really is better than a starting-level guard in the NFL."
— Landon McCool [11:39]
"I think you get an early day three pick is probably what's fair here."
— Marcus Mosher [12:18] - Memorable Moment:
- Speculating about using a trade to acquire more draft capital, with Marcus painting a fourth-round trade-up scenario into the third for a linebacker or slot player.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Liufau position switch:
"It's hard to make any sort of argument that you're getting the value that you expected. And it certainly doesn't bode well that he's being moved away from the position that he was drafted to play."
— Landon McCool [05:00] -
On the challenge for down-roster players:
"It really doesn't matter what your role is on defense and how well you play that position. He's going to make this team if he's good on special teams."
— Marcus Mosher [06:30] -
On roster investment:
"If they are managing to put tenders on both of these guys, one of them will likely be used as trade bait…"
— Landon McCool [10:26] -
On trade scenarios for Bass:
"I could see a team like the Raiders being like, okay, hey, we'll give you our fourth-rounder if you give us Bass and a sixth-rounder. And I think the Cowboys would be interested in that."
— Marcus Mosher [12:47]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:38: Start of main show, intro to roster moves & context
- 02:41: Liufau/Moves to OLB — Initial analysis
- 04:08: “We don’t know what to do with this guy” — Marcus Mosher on Liufau’s fit
- 06:30: Special teams as the path for roster fringe players
- 09:26: Schottenheimer praises Bass and Hoffman; talk shifts to tenders/trade possibilities
- 11:31: Which of Hoffman/Bass is more valuable and preferred?
- 12:47: Trade scenario brainstorming for draft capital
Summary
This episode gives Cowboys fans insight into crucial depth chart changes—especially the attempt to salvage value from Marist Liufau by moving him outside. The hosts raise flags about Dallas' thin off-ball linebacker depth and voice skepticism Liufau’s switch can stick. Meanwhile, the team’s investment in TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman, and the likelihood one is traded, hint at ongoing roster reshaping and the importance of leveraging strengths (offensive line depth) to address weaknesses (defensive and linebacker depth) via the upcoming draft. The discussion is sharp, realistic, and delivers clear context for why each move matters as the Cowboys enter a pivotal offseason.