The Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker room looks nothing like it did a year ago. And that’s a good thing. Addition by subtraction. Out with the old, in with the… well, not exactly new, but different.
But here’s the problem: alongside DeMarvion Overshown, the Cowboys don’t have a lot of proven talent. Dee Winters is a solid piece, but he’s probably best suited for a rotational role. Behind them? A rookie third-round pick (Jaishawn Barham) and a bunch of question marks.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner.
The 2026 NFL Draft came and went without the Cowboys adding an off-ball linebacker. That means the answer — if there is one — will have to come from free agency or the trade market.
The fan base has been clamoring for big names. Bobby Wagner. Bobby Okereke. Familiar faces with proven resumes.
But FanSided’s Jake Beckman had a different idea. A smarter idea. A cheaper idea.
Pete Werner of the New Orleans Saints.
Let me break down why Werner makes sense, what he would cost, and why he might be the perfect veteran stopgap for Christian Parker’s defense.
The Werner Profile: A Starting-Caliber Linebacker Who Won’t Break the Bank
Let me start with the player.
Pete Werner is a 27-year-old linebacker who has spent his entire five-year career with the New Orleans Saints. He was a second-round pick out of Ohio State in the 2021 NFL Draft.
His career numbers:
3,300+ defensive snaps
408 tackles
18 tackles for loss
1 interception
10 passes defensed
2 forced fumbles
5 fumble recoveries
Those aren’t All-Pro numbers. But they’re not replacement-level numbers either. Werner is a starting-caliber linebacker who has produced consistently over five seasons.
He’s not a star. He’s not going to make the Pro Bowl. But he’s reliable. He’s experienced. And he’s exactly the kind of player the Cowboys need alongside Overshown.
The Scheme Fit: A Familiarity with the Fangio System
Let me talk about the most important factor.
The Cowboys hired Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. Parker spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia as the defensive backs coach under Vic Fangio. It’s safe to assume that Parker will run some type of Fangio scheme.
That’s where Pete Werner comes in.
Werner has played in Brandon Staley’s “bastardized version” of the Fangio scheme, as Beckman put it. He understands the concepts. He knows the terminology. He’s been in a system that requires linebackers to read, react, and cover ground.
That familiarity is valuable. It means Werner could step in and contribute immediately — no long learning curve, no training camp adjustment period.
The Rotation: How Werner Fits with Overshown and Winters
Let me address the fit.
Werner is more of a WILL linebacker — a weakside backer who chases the ball, covers running backs out of the backfield, and uses his speed to make plays in space.
DeMarvion Overshown is also a WILL-type. He’s fast, athletic, and best suited for a similar role.
So how do they play together?
They don’t have to play together all the time. The Cowboys need a rotation. They need three linebackers they can trust. Overshown is the starter. Winters is the rotational piece. Werner would be the third — a veteran who can step in when needed, play in certain packages, and provide depth.
If Werner costs what Beckman suggests (a late-round pick), that’s a bargain. A third linebacker who can play 400-500 snaps a season is valuable.
The Regression: A Down Year in a New System
Let me be honest about Werner’s 2025 season.
He regressed. His missed tackle rate was the highest of his career. His quarterback rating allowed when targeted was the highest of his career.
But context matters.
2025 was Werner’s first year in a new defensive system. The Saints changed coordinators. He was learning on the fly. It’s not uncommon for players to struggle in Year 1 of a new scheme.
Maybe Werner isn’t a clean fit for what New Orleans was doing. Maybe Parker’s version of the Fangio system suits him better.
The only way to find out is to make the call.
The Cost: A Late-Round Pick for a Proven Veteran
Let me get into the hypotheticals.
Werner is entering the final year of his contract. The Saints are in salary cap hell. They need to shed money. Trading Werner would clear cap space and bring back a late-round pick.
What would it take? A fifth-round pick. Maybe a sixth. That’s nothing.
For that price, the Cowboys would get:
A 27-year-old veteran with 3,300+ defensive snaps
A player who has produced 408 tackles in five seasons
A linebacker who understands the Fangio system
A reliable, experienced depth piece
That’s not a blockbuster. But it’s smart business.
The Competition: Why Not Bobby Wagner?
Let me address the elephant in the room.
Bobby Wagner is a future Hall of Famer. He’s one of the best linebackers of his generation. He’s still playing at a high level.
But he’s also 36 years old. He’s not a long-term answer. And he would cost more than Werner — both in salary and in the “veteran presence” premium that free agents often command.
Werner is younger (27), cheaper, and fits the scheme. He’s not a star, but he doesn’t need to be. The Cowboys have Overshown as the playmaker. They need a steady, reliable veteran next to him.
That’s Werner.
The Beckman Logic: Why This Makes Sense
Let me bring in the expert analysis.
Jake Beckman of FanSided laid out the case perfectly:
“This offseason, the Cowboys hired Christian Parker to be their new defensive coordinator. He spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia as the defensive backs coach under Vic Fangio, so it’s safe to assume that he’s going to run some type of Fangio scheme.
Even though he’s a DBs guy, it’d be crazy for him not to realize how important the linebacker play was in those two seasons of elite defenses. The problem for him right now is that the Cowboys’ linebackers are bad and there aren’t really any good linebackers who are available… So they’re going to have to do a little bit of bargain hunting.
Pete Werner could be that guy. He’s not great, but he is a starting-caliber linebacker who has played in Brandon Staley’s bastardized version of the Fangio scheme. That’s just about as good as you’re going to get at this point.”
Translation: The Cowboys aren’t going to find a star. The market is thin. The draft has passed. Werner is the best available option who fits the scheme and won’t cost a fortune.
What Werner Learned: From Baun and Alexander
Let me talk about Werner’s development.
He learned early in his career from great linebackers like Zack Baun and Kwon Alexander. He’s been in the room with experienced, productive players. He’s absorbed their knowledge.
That matters. A player who has been around good linebackers often understands the position better than someone who hasn’t.
Werner isn’t a finished product. But he’s been coached well.
The Saints’ Situation: Why They Would Trade Him
Let me explain why New Orleans would even consider this.
The Saints are in salary cap hell. They’ve been kicking the can down the road for years. The bill is coming due.
Werner is in the final year of his contract. He’s not a star. He’s replaceable. Trading him would clear cap space and bring back a draft pick.
For a team that needs to rebuild its financial flexibility, that’s a win.
Final Verdict: Make the Call
Here’s my honest take.
The Dallas Cowboys should trade a late-round pick for Pete Werner.
Not because he’s a superstar — he’s not. Not because he’s a long-term answer — he’s probably not. Because he’s a reliable, experienced, scheme-fit veteran who can step in and play 400-500 snaps next season.
The Cowboys don’t need to find a star at linebacker. They need to find competence. They need someone who won’t be a liability. They need a player who understands the system and can be trusted.
Pete Werner is that player.
The fan base might not get excited about this move. It’s not flashy. It’s not a headline. But it’s smart.
And smart is what the Cowboys need right now.
One thing’s certain: Christian Parker needs linebackers he can trust. Pete Werner is available. The price is right. Jerry Jones should pick up the phone.