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Cowboys Draft Jaishawn Barham, 92nd Overall Defensive Pick

4/25/2026

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Summary

Cowboys Draft Barham

Cowboys selected Jaishawn Barham with the 92nd pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The selection was one of the team's four defensive picks.
Barham played two seasons each at Maryland and Michigan and finished college with 194 tackles and 12 sacks.
Scouts, noting his 63 total score at the Combine, said he is raw but athletic and needs discipline and edge-setting to become a starter.

Summary

Barham Rotates

Barham will rotate between inside linebacker and outside linebacker roles for the Cowboys.
He was a four-year starter at Michigan, anchoring the Wolverines' linebacker corps.
In 2025 his missed-tackle rate rose noticeably after seasons of near-perfect tackling.
Scouts note his bend ability is above average for an outside linebacker, aiding coverage flexibility.
Barham earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, reflecting strong classroom performance.

Summary

Barham Pass-Rush

Barham excels in an odd-front scheme, serving as a strong-side rush linebacker on early downs and a pass-rusher on passing situations.
His run-defense strength lies in attacking down blocks, stacking linemen, and creating downhill momentum.
Coaches must refine his discipline and edge-setting while leveraging his explosive motor.
Because of his limited bulk, he is best used as a rotational pass-rush specialist rather than an every-down starter.

History

Historical Context

In 1974 the Dallas Cowboys, coached by Tom Landry, used the first overall pick—acquired from the Houston Oilers—to draft defensive end Ed “Too Tall” Jones, the highest-drafted player from a historically black college. Jones started in 1975, contributed to the Cowboys’ 1977 Super Bowl win, and his pass-rush legacy influences the 2026 third-round selection of linebacker Jaishawn Barham, expected to bring similar versatility.

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Cowboys Draft Barham

Cowboys selected Jaishawn Barham with the 92nd pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The selection was one of the team's four defensive picks.
Barham played two seasons each at Maryland and Michigan and finished college with 194 tackles and 12 sacks.
Scouts, noting his 63 total score at the Combine, said he is raw but athletic and needs discipline and edge-setting to become a starter.

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