Cowboys linebacker room looks much improved this season after week one win

The Cowboys got some elite play from their linebackers in the season opener.

The Dallas Cowboys defense looked dominant against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, winning 33-17 on the road. While the whole unit looked great under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, what impressed many fans the most was the linebacker group.

A big question mark heading into the offseason for the Cowboys was their depth at linebacker, as the unit was embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs last season.

The team addressed the need by signing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks in free agency, reuniting him with Zimmer who was his former coach with the Minnesota Vikings. Kendricks dominated for the Cowboys against the Browns, registering nine total tackles, six solo tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, and one interception.

When the team lost LB Leighton Vander Esch to injury last season, it not only impacted the defense from a physical sense, but also a leadership one. Vander Esch was the leader of the defense and kept everyone where they were supposed to be on the field. Kendricks seems to fulfill this role nicely, as his veteran presence against the Browns elevated the play of everyone around him.

As the team benefited from the veteran leadership of Kendricks on Sunday, they also got a big contribution from LB DeMarvion Overshown in his regular-season debut. The team was high on Overshown when they selected him in the third-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he looked great in training camp before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason. After missing his entire rookie season, Overshown looked ready for the moment against the Browns, securing a team-high 11 tackles, five solo tackles, two quarterback hits, and one sack.

He had an impressive fourth-down sack on Deshaun Watson in the third quarter, displaying incredible closing speed.

It’s a relief for Cowboys fans to see great play from their linebacker unit, as it seemed to be their Achilles heel last season. If they can continue getting this type of production from the group, this could possibly be one of the best defenses in the NFL.