Most Dallas Cowboys observers don’t believe the team has much depth at the linebacker position. Heading into this past week’s mandatory minicamp, the feeling was the depth chart was limited to starting LBs Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark, but third-year man Jabril Cox is out to change that perception.
While the chart has All-Pro Micah Parsons’ position is at LB, he does far more work on the defensive line than he does at the second level. When the Cowboys are looking for another traditional option, Cox is letting it be known he’s deserving of more playing time. In his first chance to make an impression on the field this offseason, the former LSU product made the most of his opportunity. The Cowboys held their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and it was Cox who stood out.
During the two-minute end-of-game situation for second team, LB Jabril Cox broke up an end-zone pass to set up fourth and goal. Teammates caused a brief delay when crowding Cox in celebration. They became louder when, on fourth down, Cox broke up another EZ pass to win game.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 6, 2023
It had to be satisfying for Cox, who was on track to becoming a contributor in Dan Quinn’s defense before he tore his ACL in October of the 2021 season. As a rookie, Cox earned his way onto the field with his speed and ability to play special teams.
Although he had just two tackles in his first year, Cox did make an impression when he stopped New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones short on a third-and-goal run. The hit kept the Giants out of the end zone and knocked Jones out of the game. Two games later, Cox got hurt and missed the rest of the season.
With the ACL injury occurring in October, it felt like Cox would be ready to pick up where he left off and improve in his second year. It never happened. Cox remained a core special teams player, but had just 36 defensive snaps on the year.
Another year removed from surgery and hope is springing eternal for Cox again. The Cowboys drafted him in the fourth round because of his athleticism and coverage ability. After transferring to LSU, Cox had three interceptions and five passes defensed in his only season in Baton Rouge. Cox’s work in the first minicamp practice proves that he’s still up to the task now that he’s healthy.
There also isn’t much standing in Cox’s path to playing time. He likely isn’t going to unseat Vander Esch or Clark as starters, but the third-year LB could find a role as a valuable sub. And with Vander Esch’s injury history and Clark’s surgically-repaired back, it might not be long until the Cowboys need a quality option to play meaningful snaps.
Cox’ main competition for snaps will be second-year man Devin Harper and rookie DeMarvion Overshown, who was a third-round selection in April’s draft. Overshown and Cox are near carbon-copies of each other, being almost the exact height and weight, and both excel in coverage.
The Cowboys also use safeties Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson close to the line of scrimmage. That may take some of Cox’ opportunities away, but he can earn his snaps by playing well in the camps (minicamp and July’s full training camp) and in the preseason.
If Cox can build on his quick start, he could be on his way to rebounding from a disappointing sophomore season where he wasn’t healthy or good enough warrant playing time. Last year appears to be in the review for Cox, who might be showing he’s the third man up on Dallas’ LB rotation.
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