Possible for Jaishawn Barham to be most important 2026 draft pick? " Inside The Star

Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown are the current inside linebacker starters. Jaishawn Barham could still contribute from day one and may be used as an off-ball linebacker even though he played exclusively on the edge at Michigan. Barham played 24 games at linebacker over the previous two years at a high level, supporting the idea that he can handle the transition. Caleb Downs is expected to improve the secondary and provide help at nickel. The linebacker group is positioned for Barham to become a key defensive piece, while recent rookie linebacker results have been inconsistent. Trading for Winters reduces reliance on rookies and an injury-prone Overshown. Barham’s value depends on how Christian Parker uses him in the new defense, and early summer buzz suggests he looks excellent.

"Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown right now are the starters at inside linebacker. My guess would be that Barham could still be a factor and get snaps from day one. The Cowboys will start Barham as an off-ball linebacker, which may come as a surprise since he played exclusively on the edge last season at Michigan. However, Barham played 24 games at linebacker over the previous two years and did so at a high level."

"We know that Downs is going to help change the secondary. The corners still need some work, but he will help out playing some nickle back. Still, the linebacker situation right now is setting up for Barham to be a dude. The one major issue is that when teams draft linebackers, the last few years have not given us good results in terms of rookies stepping in and being a difference maker, it takes a bit for these guy to get settled into one of the most important spots on the team."

"I would argue that it is the most important thing of defense. Trading for Winters, I think will be an underrated move for this front office, because now you are not depending 100% on a rookie and a guy in Overshown who has battled major knee injuries. Still, Barham could be the most important draft pick if Christian Parker can use him in the new defense."

"As noted above, him being a pass rusher a year ago and now playing linebacker could be a learning curve, but from the buzz around the summer thus far is that he looks awesome and might be the best rookie outside of Downs, and I love to hear that because we know how well this tea"

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