It has been two months since Dan Quinn headed north to become the Commanders' Head Coach, and Dallas brought in coaching veteran Mike Zimmer to succeed him.
Since that February hiring, we've seen Zimmer's influence appear in various ways.
Starting in free agency, the former Vikings leader got to work on luring his former defensive captain, Eric Kendricks, to the Cowboys.
The 2024 NFL Draft also had Zimmer's fingerprints all over it.
Bringing in rookies like Marshawn Kneeland, Marist Liufau, and Caelen Carson are all textbook “Zim” moves.
Listening to Zimmer.
The Kneeland pick makes so much sense now. Dallas isn’t going to keep Micah Stationary so you need a Physical D End to replace where Micah may be leaving.
Enter= Marshawn Kneeland— (Foots The King) (@FootsDaKing) May 14, 2024
But now, with the actual on-field work on the horizon, we're learning about his defensive strategy for the team in 2024.
Aside from his patented fiery, intense style and scheme, Zimmer is also focusing on the physical side.
Specifically, two of the most important young defenders on the team have had his attention.
Second-year players DeMarvion Overshown and Mazi Smith are bulking up.
Overshown's Muscle Gain
Ever since this former Longhorns star went down with an ACL tear, his return has been hyped up by Cowboys fans.
Now, that hype is as strong as it can be.
During this week, it was reported that Overshown added close to 15 lbs of muscle during his recovery.
DeMarvion Overshown is itching to get back on the field as he’s added “12-13 pounds of lean mass” to his frame in anticipation of taking a lead role in the LB corps this season.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) May 22, 2024
Still on pace to be ready to go for training camp if all continues to go well.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/ryx5nOmrg7
That is a major bulk-up from the young linebacker.
Many have noted that “Agent 0” was already muscled up in college, and that is true.
Overshown weighed in at 230 lbs as a draft prospect, so he is now pushing the 240-245 lbs range.
With his athleticism, speed, and range, that size is deadly.
Bulking Overshown up during his recovery wasn't all Zimmer's work, as he was hired late into that process.
But it still shows a commitment from him to get these guys bigger.
The Dallas linebacker corps, even with adding Kendricks and Liufau, isn't great.
If Overshown can come in with this stronger frame and ball out, it would be a huge boost.
Now the question is will he meet the hype?
Smith's Weight is Climbing
2023 was about as bad as it could be for the former 26th pick in the draft.
He didn't contribute much at all, lost a bunch of weight, and suffered a shoulder injury that he is still recovering from.
This time around, he's looking to change the “bust” narrative.
Smith, with Zimmer's assistance and guidance, is putting weight back on.
Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer has yet to work on field with NT Mazi Smith, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Zimmer said he and Smith have discussed at what weight Smith wants to play. Zimmer declined to disclose number, but Smith is at 305 now and working toward it. pic.twitter.com/w7xtvHCiWi
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 14, 2024
The goal weight for him is something Zimmer won't discuss, but it's certainly higher than what he played at last season.
Rumors have swirled about why he dropped so much weight in the first place.
However, regardless of whose idea it was, the idea failed and that's what is important.
Smith couldn't compete at nose tackle because of the weight drop, and that's the role they drafted him for.
Zimmer's defense needs a nose tackle to work well, and clearly, he thinks a bigger Smith can do that.
Let's not mince words here.
The Cowboys' interior defensive line is weak.
The defensive tackle (specifically NT/1T) room is under a microscope going into the summer with just three healthy bodies present at OTAs: Carl Davis (98), Justin Rogers (96), Denzel Daxon (95)
The small group did a lot of work with DL coach Jeff Zgonina today.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/WW4LN1T6XP— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) May 22, 2024
Osa Odighizuwa headlines the group, but after him, there's no clear best option.
This gives this former first-round pick a golden opportunity to make his selection worth it, and adding back some weight is the first big step.
Dallas might finally get production from Smith in 2024.
What This All Means
So, what does Overshown and Smith adding weight and muscle mean for the Cowboys' defense in 2024?
It means there is a clear focus on physicality and putting players in the best position to succeed.
Clearly, Smith is better when he weighs closer to what he weighed in college.
Mazi Smith put up 34 reps on the bench press💪
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 3, 2023
Leads all players at the Combine〽️
pic.twitter.com/5xEK17P8lD
And Overshown putting on that kind of muscle to combine with his other elite skillset gives him a chance to be special.
Both players have huge roles to fill, considering their surrounding positional group.
Zimmer would love nothing more than to make linebacker and defensive tackle a strength rather than the weakness it is right now.
The physical gains by these two young defenders put them one step closer to doing that.
Does it mean they are guaranteed to succeed?
Of course not, but it puts them on track to contribute in ways they couldn't beforehand.
This is a big season for both Overshown and Smith, and the weight gained by them gives us a sneak peek at how they plan to attack the field in 2024.
