Cowboys’ LB Room Gets a Boost with Bulked up Marist Liufau- Mario Herrera Jr., Inside the Star.
Second-year linebacker is putting in the work.
Dallas Cowboys LB Marist Liufau has made significant strides this offseason, both physically and mentally, positioning himself as a strong contender for a starting role in the team’s competitive linebacker unit. After a promising rookie season where he recorded 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles across 17 games, Liufau has focused on enhancing his physicality to better meet the demands of the NFL.
Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 234 pounds, the Notre Dame product has been working diligently to add muscle mass, aiming to improve his strength and durability on the field. Liufau’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. Dallas’ former DC Mike Zimmer also commended Liufau’s versatility and intelligence, noting his ability to play multiple linebacker positions and make necessary adjustments during games.
The Cowboys’ linebacker room is notably competitive this offseason. With the additions of veteran Kenneth Murray and free agent Jack Sanborn, along with the return of DeMarvion Overshown from injury, Liufau faces stiff competition. However, his 2024 performance has kept him in the conversation for a starting role.
Liufau’s ability to adapt and learn quickly has been instrumental in his ascent. He credits teammates like Damone Clark and Eric Kendricks for their mentorship, which has helped him understand the nuances of the game and improve his on-field decision-making.
As the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season, Liufau’s combination of physical development, football intelligence, and adaptability makes him a valuable asset in a linebacker corps filled with talent.
New $3 million addition could put Cowboys ahead of curve in revolutionizing red-zone play – Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire.
How ‘Bazooka’ Joe Milton helps the Cowboys solve their problems in the red zone.
It’s not common practice to develop a specialist role for a key position such as quarterback in today’s NFL. A starter is a starter and removing said player tips off intensions and frankly comes off as a little disrespectful. For the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, replacing the QB in select goal-line packages could be seen as both, even if it seems like a smart course of action for all parties involved.
The Cowboys touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone was just 46 percent in 2024. That was second to last in the NFL, ranking only above the lowly Giants. The Cowboys’ inability to get into the endzone was a season-long issue, dating back before Prescott’s season-ending injury. It left points on the board and ultimately demoralized an already fragile unit.
Prescott is scheduled to return in 2025 with a full bill of health. In previous seasons, he’s been an assassin from the red zone, guiding the Cowboys to a No. 12 ranking in 2023 and to No. 1 overall ranking in 2022. Given his past proficiency, it’s not preposterous to think he can bounce back to those levels again in 2025, but is the risk worth it?
A major part of Prescott’s redzone efficiency lies in his ability to run the ball. As a ball carrier Prescott operated at a 0.40 EPA/play with a 100 percent success rate on two attempts in 2024. The season before he was at 0.16 EPA/play with a 71.43% success rate on 14 attempts. QBs are universally a highly efficient rushing option from the red zone; the only downside is such plays open them up to hits and potential injury. The Cowboys can ill afford to suffer and injury of Prescott’s magnitude so alternatives need to be explored.
Prescott, 32, is the highest paid player in the NFL and an irreplaceable part on the Cowboys’ machine. He’s not injury prone, per say, but having missed five or more games in three of the last five seasons, he’s not exactly made of metal either. Using him as a runner might be more risk than the Cowboys want to take on and finding a replacement option may not be as crazy as it sounds when all factors are under consideration.
7 winners from Cowboys 2025 OTAs include shocking RB1 candidate – Randy Gurzi, SI.com
These players helped themselves with good performances at OTAs.
Juanyeh Thomas, S
With Jourdan Lewis leaving in free agency, the Cowboys need someone to step up and play in the slot. DaRon Bland has been handling that role with the first team, but Juanyeh Thomas has thrown his hat into the ring.
His coverage skills have always made Thomas an intriguing player, but the versatility to play multiple positions could be his key to finally breaking out in 2025.
Jay Toia, DT
Mazi Smith has yet to cement himself as the future nose tackle in Dallas, which leaves the door wide open for a hungry player like rookie Jay Toia. The seventh-round draft pick has turned heads with his play, even earning first-team reps during OTAs.
Dallas should still keep an eye out for 1-tech defensive tackles on the waiver wire, but Toia’s potential is promising.
Damone Clark, LB
Damone Clark has become a forgotten man with DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau surpassing him on the depth chart. Dallas also added Kenneth Murray in a trade this offseason, pushing Clark to the roster bubble.
Despite all the players around him, Clark is reminding everyone why he was seen as a steal in the 2022 NFL draft. Clark is flourishing under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and could be in line for a bounce-back season.
Kaiir Elam, CB
A first-round piuck in 2022, Kaiir Elam never caught on with the Buffalo Bills. He was traded to Dallas this offseason, giving him a chance to turn his career around.
Elam isn’t taking this opportunity lightly, as he’s been one of the top corners during practices. He’s taken advantage of the absence of Trevon Diggs, often lining up with the starters.
Cowboys fans assign high grade to the trade for George Pickens – Dave Halprin, Blogging the Boys
We’ve already covered on the site many times that the Dallas Cowboys front office was much more active in the roster-building phase this offseason than they had been recently. The sheer number of free agents and trades, combined with the draft class, gives the team a lot more options heading into 2025.
At one point, after the draft, it looked like the Cowboys might just be done with major acquisitions. But just a little while before the draft, Jerry Jones was quoted as saying the team had a couple of substantive deals they were working on. After the draft, one of those deals became known when the Cowboys couldn’t get their WR2 in the draft.
The Cowboys essentially sent a third-round pick for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. CeeDee Lamb needed a running mate, and Pickens was brought on board. While Lamb is a smooth operator out of the slot who carves open defenses, Pickens is a deeper threat with an unworldly catch radius.
Cowboys fans liked the move. Really liked the move. In our recent poll, 93% of respondents rated it either an A or B move (60% A, 33% B). It’s rare that we see such unanimity in our polls.
There are reasons to feel good about the trade. The fit into the scheme and the talent are obvious. Pickens’ former QB, Russell Wilson, had this to say.
“I love George,” Wilson said. “His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he’s gonna catch it. […] He wants to be great, you know? I think, also, too, when it comes to George — his ability, where he can take it from not just being great, to being the world’s best, I think he has that in him.”
Bill Barnwell discussed his fit in Dallas.
Pickens is also going to get a massive upgrade at quarterback. For whatever flak Prescott gets for his weaknesses, he throws one of the most consistently accurate balls of any quarterback. His ball placement on slants, digs and back-shoulder throws, in particular, has been excellent over the past few years. Pickens is going to see plenty of those routes. With CeeDee Lamb operating out of the slot, the Cowboys have needed an “X” receiver since they moved on from Amari Cooper before the 2022 season. Between Cooper and Dez Bryant, Prescott had that big, physical receiver on the outside for most of his career. Pickens should be that guy.
