FRISCO — The Cowboys drafted Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham in the third round, No. 92 overall, on Friday night.
“I’m in awe right now,” Barham said on a conference call.
The Cowboys had only one selection on the second day of the draft but made two moves. Dallas gave up a fifth-round pick, No. 152 overall, to San Francisco to acquire linebacker Dee Winters. Winters, who played off-ball linebacker with the 49ers, is expected to play middle linebacker with the Cowboys.
“We’ve rebuilt this defense and I think the fact I’ve said it earlier today,” team owner Jerry Jones said. “The fact we put a new newness to the system and a newness to the coaching staff.”
In continuing a draft geared for the defense, the Cowboys selected Barham, an outside linebacker at Maryland before transferring to Michigan. He is a versatile player who fits their 3-4 scheme.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Barham will start as an inside linebacker with the possibility of moving to the edge down the line. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys will have a healthy competition at the linebacker position.
Barham (6-4, 240 pounds) recorded 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2025 for Michigan. He’s started 47 games in four seasons between Michigan and Maryland in his college career.
Cowboys officials said they like Barham’s size and that he’s played multiple positions in college.
Barham was one of the Cowboys’ 30 visits with college prospects.
“We do it really well,” Schottenheimer said of the visits. “We find the right guys to bring in. It’s easy to sign off when you know what you’re buying.”
Barham, who grew up in Hyattsville, Md., said his mother was a Cowboys fan and his brother was an Eagles fan growing up.