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What inspired the Cowboys to trade up for Shemar James in the 2025 NFL draft? The team had used both draft and financial capital to bring in Kenneth Murray (via trade) and Jack Sanborn, and had spent two third-round picks in two years on DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau. While Overshown is expected to miss at least two months of the season after an ACL injury, the team wasn’t in a dire situation at the position; they’ve entered seasons with more disarray before.
But the new regime in town after changing out the majority of the coaching staff, wanted to bring in a prospect that met their protoype, and moved up in the fifth round to select James out of Florida. Dallas had already selected RB Jaydon Blue early in the round, but then bundled the No. 174 and No. 211 pick together, swapping spots with the Arizona Cardinals.
Rundown
Position: Linebacker
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 222 pounds
Hometown: Mobile, AL
High School: Faith Academy
College: Florida (Highlights)
Draft: 2025 Fifth Round (No. 152 overall)
Acquired: 2025 draft
Contract: Four-year contract (2025), $4.6 million
2025 Base Salary: $840,000
Profile
James’ draft pedigree will put him on the 53-man roster, but his place in the pecking order will be determined by what happens in the remaining weeks of training camp. He’ll be fighting for snaps with Damone Clark, who is now on his third defensive coordinator in three years in Matt Eberflus. Also looking to secure a role is UDFA rookie Justin Barron, a safety convert similar to Overshown.
Buddy Johnson and Darius Harris are also on the 90-man roster hoping to earn a place in the regular season picture.
James’ physical profile is similar, a speedy, smooth athlete who looks to avoid second-level blockers instead of taking them on. He’s ridiculously young, indicating an untapped ceiling the Cowboys hope to develop. The NFL is now a three-year window league, so the hope is that after the short-term rentals of Murray and Sanborn, James emerges to form a triumvirate with Liufau and Overshown.
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