The Dallas Cowboys are getting another explosive athlete for their defense, and he’s one of our top sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft. But fans will need to be patient to see him make an impact.
Despite having the draft capital to trade up
, the Dallas Cowboys were patient in Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. And it paid off in the form of one our top sleepers of the class.
With pick No. 92 in the third round, the Cowboys selected EDGE Jaishawn Barham
out Michigan. Barham’s background is fascinating, and his versatility will make him a player to watch on Christian Parker’s multiple defense.
As a Wolverine, Barham moved from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher due to his twitchiness and explosiveness. However, if the Cowboys want this one to pan out, they’ll need to be patient.
After all, Barham’s experience playing in the trenches is limited and his pass rush technique shows it. Fortunately for Dallas, they have an ace under their sleeve in newly-hired pass rush consultant Brandon Jordan, who trains many standout NFL pass rushers and draft hopefuls.
Without any further ado, let’s dive into our official scouting report on Barham, in which our own Kyle Crabbs labels Barham one of his top sleepers.
Age: 22
A to Z Sports Expected Draft Position: 95
Career Projection: Eventual good starter
Michigan Wolverines EDGE/linebacker Jaishawn Barham was one of the most fun prospects I watched this winter. A transfer from Maryland, Barham transitioned from off-ball linebacker to playing more on the edge and showcased a great deal of promise.
His experience as an off-ball linebacker and plugging gaps with aggressiveness and heavy pads has lent itself well to him attacking blocks along the edge of a point of attack. Barham possesses enough flexibility and explosiveness to rush with speed off the edge, and he should be able to continue to develop past rush counters, if allowed to rush from the edge full-time.
If Barham can successfully develop his hands to create consistent separation from blockers on the edges, he could very easily become a quality starter at the NFL level. He has enough juice, and he has the right attitude to make it work. This is one of my sleepers to hit it big.
– Kyle crabbs
A to Z Sports NFL Draft
I can’t blame the Cowboys for betting on a highly-athletic edge rusher here. I have questions about Barham’s size potentially limiting him to a pass rushing role in the long run, but he’s an upgrade at the position and has high upside getting after the quarterback.
If Parker can carve out a role that also capitalizes on his experience as an off-ball linebacker, Barham could find his way into the playing field more often than expected. For now, expect to see him on passing situations almost exclusively. Not bad for a late third-round pick.
GRADE:B+
