One prediction for training camp, inside linebackers edition
· Yahoo Sports
Our Dallas Cowboys training camp prediction series continues. Today we will analyze a position of great importance on the defensive side of the ball – the interior linebackers.
The Cowboys defense has gone through significant changes in the offseason. Gone is Matt Eberflus. Replacing him is Christian Parker, who has fundamentally changed how the defense lines up by shifting to a base 3-4. With this shift, the role of linebacker has not only expanded but also insulated the interior backers, which anybody could tell you was a significant weakness last year.
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Personnel changes have also followed. Draft capital was spent this year to address some of the issues this group had last season. Dee Winters was brought here for a fifth-round pick, and the Cowboys spent their third-round pick in this year’s draft to select Jaishawn Barham. Although Winters could become the lead backer on this defense, it’s Barham who is arguably the most intriguing player within this group.
Barham is a physical specimen who can play both off-the-ball linebacker and the edge. In fact, many teams had him as an edge rusher in the draft. As for now, the Cowboys have him listed as an interior linebacker, and the idea is that he will likely be a chess piece that Dallas uses all over the field.
At 6’3” 240 lbs., Barham has the prototypical size that defensive coordinators dream about, but it’s the explosiveness that stands out. The ability to beat blockers paired with a high motor will stand out at camp and force the Cowboys to not only get him as many snaps as possible but also help him get to the quarterback at a high clip.
Prediction: Jaishawn Barhamwill secure five sacks in his rookie campaign
We see Barham as being a weapon that Parker deploys in many ways, but he will be part of the pass rush and blitz packages a lot more than the other interior linebackers. Given his background rushing the passer in college, we predict big things for him in the pass rush part of the game.
Agree or disagree? How do you think Barham will play in 2026?