The Dallas Cowboys are a well-oiled machine on the offensive end, as the combination of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at wide receiver, a solid running game, and MVP-level quarterback in Dak Prescott has been a nightmare for opposing teams. The defense is what has weighed them down.
While Dallas is going to get standout young linebacker DeMarvion Overshown back to fix what has been one of the worst units in the league, the play of Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn has been so disappointing that acquiring a linebacker might need to be at the front of their minds as well.
According to Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Cowboys may not even have to leave the state of Texas to find their next playmaking linebacker, as the Houston Texans may conceivably part ways with Christian Harris. Bowen and Fowler gave him a 30% chance of being traded and listed the Cowboys as a fit.
If Dallas spends most of their available draft capital on trying to bring in a defensive back who can help fix an equally humiliating secondary or a star defensive lineman, Harris could be a target if the Cowboys want to flip a late-round pick of little consequence over to Houston and take on the challenge of resurrecting him.
Cowboys need to consider trade for Texans LB Christian Harris
"A long run-and-hit defender at the second level, Harris can play downhill as a stack 'backer and pursue the football quickly on the edges," Bowen wrote of Harris' game. "However, hip tightness and limited coverage awareness show on the tape, which could make Harris a better fit as an early-down/base-package defender."
Harris has played in more of a reserve role this season for Houston, as his injury in 2024 and the signing of free agent EJ Speed have forced him into the backup tier behind Speed and Henry To'oTo'o. Houston's defense seems to have turned into a quality unit without him, which could force a trade.
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At his best, Harris showcased the speed and instincts needed to cover round in zone coverage, which is going to be a very welcome sight for a Cowboys defense that is utterly committed to Matt Eberflus. Schematically, Houston and Dallas' schemes aren't that dissimilar.
Even if Overshown returns to a starting role and one of either Sanborn or Murray remains in the lineup as a starter in Dallas' base defense, there's no reason why Harris should be incapable of pushing that starter for snaps. Dallas just needs to make sure he is physically where he was before the injury.
Eberflus, who made his name as a linebackers coach, clearly has an archetype he wants to be filled when adding to this position, and Harris should be able to fill that role with some degree of aplomb.