Rookie Jaishawn Barham Could Be Cowboys Week 1 Starter At LB

Has Jaishawn Barham done enough to start at LB for the Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Entering the offseason, linebacker was one of the more pressing needs for the Dallas Cowboys, but they didn't make any major additions during free agency. While there were reports that they went after a few potential starters, Dallas didn't close the deal with any veterans.

Instead, they used draft capital to address the need. The Cowboys used the 92nd overall pick in Round 3 of the NFL draft on Michigan's Jaishawn Barham. They also brought in Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers, sending them a fifth-round pick for the Texas native.

When Winters was added, it was assumed that he would be the starter next to DeMarvion Overshown. Winters was coming off a breakout season, which saw him record 101 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and one interception. As we approach the end of the preseason, however, Winters' spot might be in question due to the ascension of Barham.

Could Jaishawn Barham be the Week 1 starter?

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham greets fans at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After making his preseason debut on Saturday, Barham has been earning plenty of praise, with the latest coming from Brian Schottenheimer. The head coach was impressed with Barham's physicality and hinted that he could be the Week 1 starter.

“The physical nature that he plays the game is real. You feel it. They felt it. We haven’t penciled in the starting lineup yet at really most spots and there’s still a lot of competition, but he’s the guy that maximizes opportunity. And he’s earned more opportunities. He plays the game the right way," Schottenheimer said via Jon Machota. “He was a guy that was trending up, and then he had the setback with the (groin) injury. I would say he’s trending up again.”

During his tenure at Michigan, Barham spent time at off-ball linebacker as well as on the edge. Once selected by the Cowboys, it was made clear that he would play inside linebacker in Christian Parker's scheme. Barham has been stellar in practice, but missed the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Against the Cardinals, he more than made up for the previous absence.

It was announced before the game that Barham would handle the green-dot duties, calling the plays for the defense. He handled this job well, with the entire defense operating on the same page. He was also a standout performer on his own, with five tackles and one tackle for loss. Barham was all over the field and could be the playmaker that this defense lacked in 2025.

The only question is whether he's ready for that role as a rookie. We'll soon find out, but Coach Schotty's comments suggest he might be.

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