It hasn’t been an easy road for Damone Clark over the last three years. The former LSU standout linebacker was supposed to be a top pick in the 2022 draft before a failed medical evaluation, resulting in pre-draft spinal fusion surgery, that dropped him all the way to the Cowboys in the fifth round.
Many thought his rookie season would be a red-shirt year lost to recovery and rehab. What it proved to be was a medical marvel with Clark cruising through recovery and breaking into the Cowboys starting lineup for five games. In all, Clark would play a total of 414 snaps over the course of 10 games that season. Playing predominantly weakside LB (WILL), Clark flashed decent potential and looked every bit the steal Dallas hoped he’d be when they selected him 176th overall.
Things seemed to be back on track for Clark, until, of course, they weren’t. The Cowboys entered the 2023 season thin in their linebacker ranks. When they lost Leighton Vander Esch to what would be a career-ending injury, they were forced to move Clark into the middle (MIKE) to replace him. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Clark wasn’t a clean fit, but he had the length the Cowboys wanted at MIKE, so they forced the transition.
For as hard as he worked, Clark never took to the MIKE role. His instincts didn’t fit cleanly, and his run fits weren’t filled consistently. It was clear they miscast him in the middle but without other options available, the Cowboys had to roll with it. In just a matter of months Clark went from bright young star to weakness of the defense.
It’s understandable the Cowboys made it a point to address the MIKE spot over the offseason. In what was arguably their only notable signing, Dallas brought in Eric Kendricks to man the middle of Mike Zimmer’s defense. Behind him will likely be Cowboys rookie, Marist Liufau, a promising third round pick out of Notre Dame.
While the additions of Liufau and Kendricks free Clark to move back to his natural position of WILL, another player may ultimately block his opportunities. Coming back from an ACL injury is second-year player DeMarvion Overshown.
Overshown dropped jaws prior to his injury and is penciled in as the favorite to land the starting spot at WILL. Clark could certainly compete with Overshown, and snaps could be split between them in some way, but it’s unlikely Clark can steal a majority portion from Overshown.
It leaves Clark in an uncomfortable position. He can compete for a role alongside Overshown at WILL, or he can turn his attention to a different linebacker position without much competition. Strong side linebacker (SAM) could be that opportunity Clark is looking for.
Zimmer’s defense, like all NFL defenses, leans more on nickel looks which feature a third cornerback, than standard base looks that feature a third LB. Since NFL offenses typically employ heavy 11 personnel (three receiver sets) it’s the obvious rebuttal for a defense. This means the odd man out in nickel situations is often the SAM.
But just because the third LB role is part time, doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. The SAM is an important position because it adds size and run-stopping ability to the defensive unit on critical downs. Given their lack of LB depth last season, the Cowboys were unable to make this personnel shift in 2023. In Zimmer’s newly restocked pond, that shouldn’t be an issue in 2024.
A handful of the Cowboys’ fiercest opponents in the NFC are dominant running teams. Having a defense that match with those run-heavy packages is critical to Dallas’ survival. Clark would allow them to do that.
Clark’s best position is likely at WILL but with the bulk of those snaps expected to be going to Overshown, Clark may find his best opportunity comes at SAM. It would mark the third different position in as many years, but it would allow the Cowboys to get their best three LBs on the field at the same time, which always seems to be a goal of the front office.
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