The Dallas Cowboys used their final fourth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to add another piece to the defense, taking Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton with the 137th overall pick. The move came after a long wait for the Cowboys, who entered the day without a second-round selection and with no picks in the fifth or sixth rounds because of earlier trades.
Dallas had already devoted significant attention to its defensive roster through both free agency and the draft, which made the choice at No. 137 another clear sign of the team’s focus on that side of the ball. Even so, the front office and head coach Brian Schottenheimer had left open the possibility of adding an offensive player as the draft unfolded.
A needed swing at the end of the fourth round
The Cowboys approached the pick knowing the margin for error was thin. With only one selection left in the fourth round and no scheduled picks in the next two rounds, the organization needed a player who could add value quickly and fit into multiple roles.
Overton fits that profile as a versatile defensive lineman from Alabama, giving Dallas another option along the front after already addressing several defensive concerns. The pick also reflected a broader draft-day strategy built around maximizing limited opportunities after early trades reduced the number of available selections.
What Overton brings to Dallas
Overton enters the Cowboys’ system as a flexible defensive lineman, a trait that can matter in a draft class where roster spots and role clarity often shape how quickly a rookie contributes. His selection continues the team’s push to strengthen the defensive group with players who can help in different alignments.
For Dallas, the addition of Overton closed out the fourth round with a defensive upgrade rather than an offensive gamble. That decision matched the way the draft had already developed for the Cowboys, who had spent much of their resources focused on reinforcing the defense while waiting to see whether their final move would follow that same pattern.
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