Shemar James is a very exciting name for the future of the Cowboys linebacker group.
Day three of the NFL draft was a tough start for the Dallas Cowboys. One of their reported favorites at running back, Bhayshul Tuten, went off the board to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second pick in the fourth round.
From there on, it was a run at the running back position with six getting selected across 36 picks. Entering the fifth round, just one runner was drafted in front of Dallas before they were on the clock. If they wanted to get their guy, now was the time. The Cowboys were ecstatic to get “their boy blue,” Texas running back Jaydon Blue at pick 149.
Then the Cowboys did something puzzling. They traded up from their second selection in the fifth round to pick three spots after drafting Blue. Would it finally be a wide receiver? Maybe a young safety to develop behind the current starters? No. Dallas traded up to pick Florida linebacker Shemar James.
Dallas has Marist Liufau, and acquired Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray from free agency, but linebacker was still a need, but a trade-up need? The Cowboys could use the depth, but it felt like James was a name that came out of left field.
Then you listen to the team’s secret audio, and it starts to make sense. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus seems to like James and what he can bring to that room.
“I’m so excited to have you, man,” Eberflus said. “You got so much upside…just come in here and kick some ass I’m just telling you…I’ve enjoyed watching your tape, and you had a great Senior Bowl. I really liked that too. Man, just so excited to develop you and make you into a kick ass backer.”
Eberflus has a history of developing late-round linebackers during his many years coaching with the Cowboys. Anthony Hitchens became a great player for Dallas, and while with the Indianapolis Colts, Eberflus transformed Darius Leonard (a third-round pick) into a Pro Bowl player.
The love for James does not end with Eberflus and the Cowboys. Bob McGinn of the Go Long Substack did a profile series on every position before the draft, interviewing numerous scouts and getting their opinions on players. One scout gave James a rave review.
Said one scout: “Captain America. Phenomenal human being. I can see him being a CEO of a company one day. Just a solid, consistent player. Not the best athlete in the world but good enough. He’ll be gone by the end of the third or the fourth. Someone’s going to fall in love with him based on the interview process.”
James is still growing as a player on the field, so he was selected in the fifth round. However, with intangibles like these, there’s no reason to doubt that they played a factor in the Cowboys’ decision to trade up and select him, especially with head coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasizing culture and leadership with almost every draft pick.
The rookies’ jersey numbers were released ahead of Cowboys rookie minicamp this weekend. James was given No. 50, made famous in Dallas by linebacker Sean Lee. Maybe it’s a coincidence, or perhaps the number was given to James on purpose. Either way, if there are even just a few “Captain America-like” qualities to the rookie linebacker that resemble Lee, then the mystery draft pick will turn into a home run in no time.
