Dallas Cowboys Take New Step With Rookie After Jaishawn Barham’s Demotion

Jaishawn Barham in action for the Dallas Cowboys.© X/@SleeperCowboys

Jaishawn Barham's first season with the Dallas Cowboys took a difficult turn after he lost his starting linebacker job. The third-round pick, who had received many defensive snaps early in the campaign, rarely got in the team's Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Now, Dallas is ready to give the rookie another chance in a different role. With injuries creating problems on the edge, the Cowboys began exploring a position that had been part of Barham's scouting profile before the draft.

Dallas Cowboys have new plans for rookie

Barham spent most of his time at inside linebacker after Dallas selected him with the 92nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His aggressive approach helped him earn a starting opportunity, but the same style began causing problems when he lost track of his assignments.

The Cowboys reduced his workload. He went from playing more than 47 snaps per game across the team's first six games to just three defensive snaps against Indianapolis. That was his lowest total of the season, even with Dallas missing linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence.

The change became more noticeable on November 11, when Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish shared an update from practice.

"Cowboys rookie Jaishawn Barham was working with the outside linebackers during the media's viewing portion of practice today. Barham has been at inside linebacker, and only played three defensive snaps against the Colts last week," Yarrish wrote on X.

The practice assignment offered a direction for a rookie whose role had almost disappeared. Dallas had not announced a permanent position change, but the change looks like the coaching staff wanted to test his ability outside.

Barham's college scouting report supports an edge move

The Cowboys had another reason to consider the switch. Malachi Lawrence was on injured reserve, while starting outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku dealt with an ankle injury. That made Dallas lack options at the position.

Interestingly, Barham's pre-draft evaluation had already highlighted his potential as an outside linebacker. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein noted that his 2025 tape showed the explosiveness needed for a developmental pass rusher.

His ability to beat blockers, bend around the edge and react quickly gave him tools to work with.

The scouting report had pointed out the same weakness that affected his early NFL appearances: discipline. His aggressive style sometimes took him away from his assignment, while his pass-rushing technique needed work.