Dallas Cowboys' second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is one of the most intriguing players ahead of the 2024 NFL season given the context surrounding his still short career in the league.
After being picked in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he immediately seemed like the perfect fit for the Cowboys. At the time, Dan Quinn was coaching the defense and as a safety-turned-linebacker, Overshown appeared to be the perfect hybrid to earn a big role on the unit when ready.
That was expected to take a while but excitement quickly took ahold of the fanbase when Overshown began lighting it up in training camp and preseason. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury in August postponed his regular season debut and overall development.
What it didn't stop, however, is Overshown's work ethic, who took care of a highly important task despite tearing his ACL in August: Gaining weight ahead of a crucial second year in the league as Mike Zimmer takes over the defense.
"I've definitely gotten bigger since last year, and that was more of a me thing, seeing my future in this league and what was going to be best for my body, to be productive on the field," Overshown told reporters during the first week of OTAs.
Overshown couldn't have had better timing for such a decision as under Zimmer, the big nickel package that was so popular in Dallas where Jayron Kearse played a hybrid linebacker/safety role will diminish. Chances are the new defensive coordinator in town wants a more traditional looking unit. D-Mo will be ready.
Overshown is currently listed at 220 pounds on the Cowboys' official roster but that number is likely to be closer to what he was last year as he suggested he's above that mark.
Based on his comments, Overshown is not improvising at all as he outlined his plan and target weight for training camp, when he's expected to be cleared and ready to go.
"That meant gaining weight, and not just any weight, but gaining lean muscle weight and getting stronger," Overshown explained. "I've put on about 12 to 13 pounds of lean mass. I'm going into camp a little bigger and will drop to where I want to play at, which would be around 230-233 pounds."
