That’s a tough blow for the Cowboys’ defense to start 2025. The Cowboys two key stars will be missing significant time means Dan Quinn’s replacement at defensive coordinator will have to adjust early.
Top star, coming off ACL surgery, was a key piece of their secondary, and without him, the Cowboys will rely heavily on Stephon Gilmore (if re-signed) and DaRon Bland. Overshown, who missed all of 2024 with an ACL tear, was expected to have a big role, so his absence will stretch their linebacker depth even more.
This makes the draft and potential free-agent signings even more critical. Dallas might have to target cornerback or linebacker earlier than expected if they don’t feel comfortable with their depth.
Yeah, veteran star has been a game-changer for Dallas when healthy. His ball-hawking ability makes him one of the most dangerous corners in the league, as shown by his 11-interception season in 2021. Losing him for an extended period is a massive setback, especially with how much the Cowboys rely on their defense to create turnovers.
If he’s out into the regular season, they’ll need Bland to continue his All-Pro level play and possibly look for veteran help in free agency. Do you think Dallas should target a cornerback early in the draft, or would you rather see them focus on their offensive needs first?
Yeah, his ball skills are elite. When he’s on the field, he’s a legitimate difference-maker, but injuries are becoming a concern. Losing him and Overshown for a chunk of the season puts even more pressure on Dallas’ secondary.
Do you think the Cowboys should look at drafting a cornerback early, or should they trust Stephon Gilmore (if they re-sign him) and DaRon Bland to hold things down?
“We’re going to be smart with Trevon’s recovery,” Jones said. “He’s a big part of what we do defensively, and we want to make sure he’s 100% before he’s back on the field.”
That makes sense, but it’s a tough break for the Cowboys. A secondary built around Diggs and Bland could be elite, but they’ll have to weather the storm early. Wouldn’t be surprising if they look for cornerback depth in the draft or even explore a veteran signing.
Who do you think they should target if they go the free-agent route?
That’s a tough blow for the Cowboys’ defense. A lingering cartilage issue can be tricky, especially for a cornerback who relies on quick cuts and explosive movement. With Diggs out for training camp and potentially missing the start of the season, Dallas will have to lean even more on DaRon Bland.
Do you think they should look at a veteran corner in free agency, or would you rather see them draft someone early?
Pausing the Show
That’s another tough loss for the Cowboys’ defense. Overshown showed promise before his ACL tear in 2023, and missing even more time in 2025 could slow down his development. With both Diggs and Overshown sidelined, the Cowboys might need to prioritize linebacker depth and secondary help in the draft or free agency.
Do you think they should go after a veteran linebacker to help fill the gap, or would you rather see them rely on younger players like Damone Clark and Markquese Bell?
That’s an impressive stat line for Overshown—he was really starting to break out as a key piece in Dan Quinn’s defense. With his ability to rush the passer and cover ground, losing him for an extended period is a huge blow.
Do you think Dallas should add a veteran to help replace him, or are you confident in guys like Damone Clark stepping up in his absence?
A Defensive Challenge
Absolutely. Diggs’ playmaking ability is a game-changer for the Cowboys’ defense. His knack for creating turnovers forces offenses to adjust, and it adds a level of unpredictability to the secondary. Without him, the Cowboys will need someone to step up as a ball hawk, and that might fall to players like DaRon Bland or Jourdan Lewis to take on bigger roles.
As for Overshown, his versatility and ability to impact both the run and pass game are hard to replace. It’ll be interesting to see if players like Leighton Vander Esch or Damone Clark can fill that void and keep the defense from slipping too much, but it definitely puts a lot of pressure on them.
How do you see the Cowboys’ defensive depth holding up in their absence?
You’re absolutely right. Without Diggs in the secondary, it could be a struggle for the Cowboys to consistently cover top-tier wide receivers. While Bland and Lewis have potential, neither has quite the same ball-hawking ability that Diggs brings. That could open the door for big plays in the passing game, especially against offenses with elite wide receivers and quarterbacks.
Overshown’s absence is another significant blow to the linebacking corps. His versatility to move sideline to sideline and cover tight ends or running backs in the passing game was invaluable. With his absence, the Cowboys may need to lean more on Vander Esch’s leadership and Damone Clark’s development, but both are more traditional linebackers and may not bring the same coverage or pass-rush ability as Overshown. This could force Eberflus to get creative with his defensive schemes, possibly adding more pressure on the front seven or relying on safeties to play more hybrid roles.
Do you think the Cowboys’ defensive line will be able to compensate for these losses, or does the team need to make some adjustments to the front seven?
With Diggs and Overshown sidelined, the Cowboys will indeed need to rely on the depth of their roster to maintain defensive effectiveness. DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson stepping up at boundary cornerback could help mitigate the absence of Diggs, but finding a solid nickel cornerback will be crucial to avoid vulnerabilities against quick, slot-heavy offenses. Josh Butler could be an option, though it may take some time for him to develop into a key contributor.
The Cowboys could also explore adding veteran depth, especially at linebacker, to help shore up their run defense and pass coverage. It’ll be interesting to see how the coaching staff adjusts and which players emerge to fill these gaps.
Absolutely! The offseason and preseason will be a critical time for these players to get up to speed. With key figures like Diggs and Overshown missing significant time, the development of younger players and backups will be under intense scrutiny. If Bland, Carson, and Butler can perform at a high level and gain chemistry with the rest of the defense, the Cowboys could mitigate the loss of these stars more effectively than expected.
Preseason games will give these players a chance to prove themselves in live-action scenarios, and it will be important for the coaching staff to test out different lineups and schemes to find what works best without Diggs and Overshown. How well these backups rise to the challenge could set the tone for the Cowboys’ defensive success or struggles in the early part of the season.
Preparing for a Rough Start
You’re absolutely right. A strong start to the season is crucial, not just for confidence but for setting the pace in a competitive NFC East. If the Cowboys’ defense, especially with key players like Diggs and Overshown sidelined, isn’t firing on all cylinders early on, it could lead to a lot of early-season struggles. High-scoring games or blown leads could put additional pressure on the offense to perform at an even higher level.
Moreover, the defense’s inability to limit big plays or get stops when needed could lead to more stress on the offense, particularly in tight games. The offense might have to take on an even heavier load, and that could wear on them over the course of the season.
What’s even more concerning is that a rough start could put them behind in the standings, making it harder to recover and gain momentum as the season progresses, especially with teams like the Eagles and Giants in the division. The Cowboys will need their defense to rise to the occasion, even if it’s not at full strength, to avoid falling behind too early.
That’s a great point. The fanbase, especially one as passionate as Cowboys Nation, has high expectations every season. If the team struggles early on, especially with the added context of these defensive injuries, the pressure could build very quickly. Fans and media will be quick to point out any inconsistencies or failures, and that can create a toxic environment where the team feels like it’s fighting an uphill battle from the get-go.
The Cowboys’ roster has talent, but the lack of key players early in the season could make it harder to reach the high expectations placed on them. If the team isn’t winning games early, you could see calls for changes — whether it’s coaching adjustments or roster moves — as fans get frustrated with the slow start.
At the same time, with the way the NFC East is shaping up, a slow start could make it harder to recover, especially if division rivals like the Eagles are firing on all cylinders. The Cowboys’ window to compete for the top spot in the NFC could shrink quickly if they can’t maintain pace early.
Ultimately, the season’s tone could be set by how the team navigates these early hurdles. If they can keep things close, lean on their offense, and get solid play from their backups, they may be able to keep fans hopeful. But if they fall behind too much early, the road to recovery might feel much steeper.