Here are five things to know about Overton.
1. The basics
Name: Lebbeus Thomas Overton
Hometown: College Station
Position: Defensive lineman
College: Texas A&M/Alabama
Height/weight: 6-5, 274 pounds
2. The pick
That pick originally belonged to the Philadelphia Eagles, but was acquired by Dallas on Day 1 of the draft when they swapped the 20th overall pick for Philly’s No. 23.Â
He was Dallas’ third and final pick in the fourth round.
3. Former Aggie
One might think Overton was destined to be an Aggie, as he was born in College Station. He grew up in Georgia, though, where he went to high school in Milton.
He’d go back to College Station and spend the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Texas A&M, but entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and signed on with Alabama, where he was an immediate starter.
In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, he totaled 84 tackles, four sacks, six tackles for loss, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered.
4. Fit with new DC?
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants to run a multiple defensive scheme. Drafting players with experience in multiple schemes (like Overton) would then make sense.Â
The 6-3 defender spent the majority of his time at Alabama playing over the tackle or outside of the tackle, according to The Athletic. It’ll be interesting to see where the Cowboys plan on using him. Overton isn’t a typical edge rusher: He ran a 4.87 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and weighs in at 274 pounds.
5. Tyler Booker influence?
It’s hard not to notice that several of the Cowboys’ picks have ties to their first-round selection in last year’s draft, Tyler Booker.
Booker also played football at IMG Academy with Drew Shelton, another Cowboys’ fourth-round selection and fellow offensive tackle.
Booker was an instant starter with the Cowboys and was one of the best rookie guards in the NFL last season. Perhaps the Cowboys are right to trust the guys in his circle.