Linebacker is probably the position on the Dallas Cowboys roster with the least depth at the end of the day.
Sitting here typing this before any analysis of the other NFC East teams, I can’t say for sure if they also have the same problem.
This article is a continuation of position rankings for each team in the NFC East.
To catch yourself up on the defensive side of the ball, utilize the following links.
Defensive tackle
Defensive end/EDGE
Analysis will be completed in team alphabetical order, with final rankings at the end of the article.
Dallas Cowboys
Projected starters: Leighton Vander-Esch, Damone Clark
Key contributor(s): Jabril Cox, DeMarvion Overshown
Leighton Vander-Esch
Before you crucify me, yes I know I didn’t list Micah Parsons above.
The Cowboys base defense is the Big Nickel, featuring a 4-2-5 lineup.
This means four down linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs.
In this formation, Micah lines up with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end.
This leaves Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark to line up at the two linebacker positions.
LVE seemingly returned to 2018 form last season after mediocre play and injury issues in the years in between.
Chalk it up to Dan Quinn’s scheme or finally feeling confident after neck surgery.
Whichever way you want to look at it, it spells good news for a Cowboys defense that needs LVE to play as the best version of himself in 2023.
Damone Clark
Damone Clark looks to be another late round bullseye by Will McClay & Co.
Nobody outside of the Cowboys’ medical staff expected Clark to be ready at any point of the 2022 season after spinal surgery.
Yet, Clark returned in Week 8 of the season, and after a slow start, really started to get his footing underneath him.
He began to play faster and more instinctually, forcing Dallas to give him more snaps over the veteran Anthony Barr.
With a full offseason under his belt, Clark should make an even bigger impact in 2023.
Jabril Cox/DeMarvion Overshown
Jabril Cox is in a put up or shut up season entering 2023.
A torn ACL midway through his rookie year has hampered his development.
Although he is cleared by doctors, it’s notable that he continues to wear a brace.
Unless he shows full confidence in his knee, he might not have a roster spot for very long.
DeMarvion Overshown is a 3rd round pick this season who the Cowboys need to develop quickly and contribute.
The linebacker room lacks depth, and will rely on young players to show what they can do.
New York Giants
Projected starters: Bobby Okereke, Darrian Beavers
Key contributor(s): Jarrad Davis, Carter Coughlin
Bobby Okereke
The latest addition to the Giants defense, Bobby Okereke is a free agent signing from the Indianapolis Colts.
Okereke is a tackling machine, and I was honestly shocked he was allowed to test free agency.
After a slow start in his first two seasons, the past two years he has accumulated 283 total tackles alongside Shaq Leonard.
The Giants continue to add talent under new Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale, and Okereke will be his leader on the field.
Darrian Beavers
Darrian Beavers was a 6th round pick in 2022 who was put on Injured Reserve before he ever saw the field.
He is projected to start alongside Okereke at inside linebacker in Martindale’s 3-4 scheme.
If he plays anything like he played in college at Cincinnati, the Giants will be just fine at linebacker.
Jarrad Davis/Carter Coughlin
Jarrad Davis is a former 1st round pick of the Detroit Lions that never lived up to the hype.
He was slowly phased out of the defense after Dan Campbell took over, and eventually ended up in New York during the 2022 season.
Carter Coughlin has been mainly a special teams contributor in his first three seasons in New York.
A 7th round pick, this may be his last chance to break into the defensive rotation or risk being leapfrogged by rookies.
Philadelphia Eagles
Projected starters: Nakobe Dean, Nicholas Morrow
Key contributor(s): Christian Elliss, Shaun Bradley
Nakobe Dean
Nakobe Dean played at the University of Georgia, and was a player I wanted Dallas to draft in 2022.
I was practically screaming at the television as Dean kept falling further and further down the draft board.
It looks like Dallas might have dodged a bullet there.
Despite being deemed healthy from his shoulder that caused his draft stock to fall, Dean only played 3% of the defensive snaps in 2022.
Even with questionable starting linebackers, Dean was not able to crack into the defensive rotation.
The Eagles are taking a risk going into 2023 with him as their top linebacker.
Nicholas Morrow
Originally drafted by the Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders, Nicholas Morrow has played for three different franchises in just five years.
Morrow did have a career year in 2022, his lone season with the Chicago Bears.
He amassed a career best 116 tackles, but was ultimately not re-signed by the Bears.
Chicago’s loss might be Philadelphia’s gain.
Christian Elliss/Shaun Bradley
Christian Elliss is another linebacker who will be asked to take a major defensive role after playing primarily special teams up to this point.
Elliss has played a total of just 29 defensive snaps in his first two seasons.
Shaun Bradley is in the same situation as Elliss.
Entering his 4th season, Bradley didn’t take the field for a single defensive snap in 2022.
Much like Micah Parsons, Haason Redick is technically listed as a linebacker on the depth chart, but plays primarily defensive end.
Redick may be asked to play more off ball linebacker if the young players don’t play up to standards.
Washington Commanders
Projected starters: Jamin Davis, Cody Barton, David Mayo
Key contributor(s): De’Jon Harris, Milo Eifler
Jamin Davis
Jamin Davis is the best linebacker on the Commanders roster.
A top 20 overall pick in 2021, Davis came into his own last season with 104 total tackles and 3.0 sacks.
He is the leader and playmaker in the middle of the defense for Washington, and is on an upward trajectory.
Cody Barton
Cody Barton is a free agent signing for the Commanders after the Seattle Seahawks allowed his contract to expire.
Barton is a former 3rd round pick who had his best season in 2022.
Finally in a starting role, Barton recorded 136 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and two interceptions.
Barton’s arrow is pointed straight up, and he should excel in the defense next to Davis.
David Mayo
David Mayo is a veteran entering his ninth season, and his third with Washington.
For his career, he has played sparingly on defense, contributing mostly on special teams.
He gets his first opportunity to start in 2023, and should be a solid but unspectacular addition to the starting lineup.
De’Jon Harris/Milo Eifler
De’Jon Harris has only played 15 total defensive snaps in his NFL career with Green Bay and Washington.
He will be asked to play more defense this season, but likely will remain a special teams stalwart.
In two years with Washington, Milo Eifler has only played six total defensive snaps, and they all came last season.
Eifler looks to take on the same role as Harris.
Final Rankings
Washington Commanders
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
