RK Insiders say the Cowboys’ LB-in-waiting doesn’t just need more snaps — he needs a complete position shift to unlock his full potential.

The Dallas Cowboys defense needs answers and they need answers fast. The unit ranks second-to-last in the NFL and is showing no signs of improvement or hope. Chronic dysfunction best describes Matt Eberflus’ unit with all levels of coverage failing in nearly every conceivable way.

Calls to change various personnel have been increasing by the day, with Marist Liufau serving as the campaign poster boy for these efforts. The second-year linebacker out of Notre Dame drew headlines in the preseason with his explosive play and game-changing ability. But the buzz quickly quieted when the regular season found him buried on the depth chart behind the veteran Damone Clark.

Liufau has generally been used as strong side and weakside linebacker in his pro career. His ability to pursue sideline to sideline and crash downhill makes him an ideal prospect in outside roles, so the logic checks out. The only problem is it might not be the best way to get him on the field.

Jack Sanborn has struggled mightily in the middle of the defense. The Cowboys MLB has been frequently exposed in in coverage. In coverages like the famed Tampa 2, the MLB is tasked with dropping back and covering the middle deep portion down the field. Despite the name, it’s more like a Cover 3 than a Cover 2 because it demands tremendous range from that MLB. It’s here where Liufau may be best suited.

Bro what happened to Jack Sanborn. It’s Extremely disappointing because he was my “most likely to lead this defense guy” coming out of camp. It’s only week 3 though but it hasn’t looked promising. This and the missed tackles manpic.twitter.com/xLbNgpaa7Q — Dak_ Enthusiast (@Demi_tree07) September 17, 2025

Liufau isn’t a traditionally built MLB but his speed and quick processing skills make him a tantalizing alternative to Sanborn. He would replace arguably the weakest link in the LB corps and he’d instantly upgrade the range in coverage. Splitting snaps with Sanborn certainly offers more opportunities than splitting snaps at the outside LB spots. Strongside LB is generally just a part-time position since most offenses play out of 11 personnel and defenses respond with nickel personnel. As for the other outside LB spot, the weakside LB is soon to be occupied by DeMarvion Overshown.

Cowboys have to get Jack Sanborn off the field. He is so lost right now.— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 21, 2025

Overshown, expected back near midseason, is the biggest and best defensive star on the roster in this post-Micah Parsons era. He’s a lock to take his job back so placing Liufau there today becomes a problem tomorrow.

Everyone wants to see Liufau and Overshown playing on the field together and the best way to do that is to have Liufau at MLB and Overshown at WLB. It helps solve the range issue Sanborn brings and it gets another young player on the field while the Cowboys build for tomorrow.

Position shifts aren’t easy, and this is by no means minimizing the difference between the linebacker spots, but at this point the Cowboys have little to lose and much to gain.

Jacob Saylors’ quiet heroics prove heart doesn’t need headlines

Jacob Saylors is a football player in the truest sense of the word. Coming out of FCS East Tennessee State, Saylors put together an All-Conference career that saw him accumulate almost 4,000 rushing yards along with 33 touchdowns. In 2023, like the majority of college football players, Saylors went undrafted, beginning an arduous journey of finding a spot on an NFL active roster.

From 2023 to today, Saylors’ journey was less than linear. Cut by the Bengals (2023), a couple weeks on the practice squad for the Falcons (2023). He joined the UFL as a third-string option behind Wayne Gallman and Mataeo Durant, and became an All-UFL back. He also earned contracts with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns in 2024, only to be cut once again.

Saylors decided to give football one more go, and in 2025, he put together an All-UFL season once again. This time, that success landed himself with the Detroit Lions going into training camp. Despite a crowded running back room, the Lions decided that the versatility Saylors brought was too valuable to send the young running back packing.

Saylors making a name for himself without making headlines

After an elevation, Saylors would sign to Detroit’s active roster, and since then has quietly been one of the Lions key contributors of the first five weeks of the 2025 season. Saylors has proven to be a key piece specifically on both sides of the Lions’ special teams unit.

Saylors currently ranks just outside the NFL top 10 in return yards and average yards per return, despite limited opportunity. In addition to his 310 kick return yards (25.8/yds per return), he’s also recorded four tackles on punts and kickoffs, as well.

Saylors is currently on pace to eclipse over 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with possibly recording 10 tackles on special teams, which could garner Pro Bowl consideration.

While Saylors’ contributions aren’t going to consistently make headlines, his play on the field for the Lions is what really matters. As a UDFA, Saylors has shown he’s able to consistently do the dirty work that is required for championship teams. He’s truly made up of the stuff that head coach Dan Campbell loves to prioritize with this Detroit team.