All of a sudden, Marist Liufau feels like the odd man out " Inside The Star

Marist Liufau is changing positions for Dallas, moving from linebacker to edge rusher under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The shift is seen as a response to the team’s need for linebackers and as potentially desperate. Liufau has played 34 games with 14 starts over two seasons and received a Pro Football Focus grade of 40.7, ranking among the worst linebackers if he had enough snaps. Concerns focus on his lack of pass-rushing effectiveness and his small size for the edge role. Making the 53-man roster is expected to be difficult because he must learn a new position while competing with established pass rushers and high draft picks.

"In case you missed all the craziness this offseason thus far, Liufau is changing positions this season as new coordinator Parker takes the defensive reins, going from linebacker to edge rusher. The move smacked of a bit of desperation on the part of the Cowboys, who badly need linebackers. Liufau played 34 games, starting 14, in the past two seasons, and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of just 40.7, which would have rated among the 10 worst linebackers in the NFL if he'd played enough snaps."

"I don't understand why people are excited about Marist Liufau moving to the EDGE. He's not a good pass rusher and now you've got an exceptionally small EDGE rusher. Change Could Be Bad So here is the thing. I am not saying he is going to be cut by Dallas when they start trimming down the roster, but making this change just does not feel right. Parker believes he can use his speed to cause issues on the edge, but it won't be easy for Liufau to make the 53-man roster."

"He's not only learning a new position, but he will have to earn a spot at a position that includes Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams, and James Houston. Tell me which player he would have the edge over being the new guy? James Houston is the only name you can throw against him, but I think James more than I do Liufau with the change to edge rusher. He clearly won't beat out Gary, or their first round pick Lawrence."

"Dallas would not have re-signed Williams if they did not think he would get snaps, and Ezeiruaku is a guy that I think will have a breakout year for the Cowboys. He's a true pass rusher. A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, Liufau started 14 of 34 games in two seasons as a middle linebacker in Dallas. So it is not like he was a stellar"

Read at Inside The Star