What are your expectations for Shemar James throughout his rookie season?
One of the more interesting selections for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 draft was Florida’s LB Shemar James. After trading for Kenneth Murray and signing Jack Sanborn in free agency, the linebacker position looked to be in decent shape heading into the draft, even with DeMarvion Overshown recovering from injury this offseason. With Murray, Sanborn, Damone Clark, and Marist Liufau on the roster, the linebacker room is pretty full, and that is without mentioning Overshown who plans to return at some point during the season.
In a crowded linebacker room, James will need to prove himself on the field this offseason on the defensive side of the ball, but even more on special teams. James has plenty of experience impacting the game in that phase, as he played a pivotal role on special teams for Florida for three years.
James could push Damone Clark for the final linebacker spot heading out of training camp, but there is a world where they elect to go heavy at linebacker keeping all five without knowing exactly when Overshown will be back. James’ role in 2025 will likely be a more rotational role, if he does make the roster, with the chance to make the game-day roster if he can be a difference maker on special teams. James has a skillset to stick at the NFL level, but expecting him to play a ton in year one is probably wishful thinking at this point given the Cowboys current roster on the defensive side of the ball.
James is a player the Cowboys would like to stick. While the linebacker room is currently crowded, both the Cowboys offseason additions, Murray and Sanborn, are only under contract through the 2025 season. Clark will also be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. All of that goes into final roster cutdowns, so do not be surprised if James finds his way on the final roster, even if he does not play a pivotal role for the Cowboys in his rookie campaign.
