The Dallas Cowboys defense could look like an entirely different unit when they re-take the field in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Due to the additions they made at the trade deadline and players
returning from injuries, there’s a spark of hope we could see a much improved defense for the rest of the season.
Through the midway point of the 2025 NFL season, the Cowboys defense is ranked in the bottom of the league in nearly every category. They are currently ranked dead last in yards per game (397.4) and points per game (30.8), 28th in the league in rushing yards per game (143.0), and 29th in the league in passing yards per game (254.4). There is hope the new additions will improve things for the second half of the season.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson will be immediate impact players, even though they just arrived recently via trade. It shouldn’t take either of them long to get up to speed considering Matt Eberflus’ scheme isn’t all that complicated or complex. They aren’t the only new faces who could make their season debut with the Cowboys this week.
The Cowboys recently activated LB DeMarvion Overshown and rookie CB Shavon Revel to the active roster after both spent the first half of the season on injured reserve recovering from season-ending knee injuries. If 100% healthy, both Overshown and Revel could help upgrade their given positions and in turn improve the overall defense moving forward. But, it may be wise to bring them along slowly as a precaution.
Overshown’s return to the field is particularly intriguing considering he was playing like a superstar prior to his season-ending knee injury last year. The Cowboys now know what they have in him and are probably hoping he can pick up where he left off last season as one of their best defensive players prior to injury. His sideline-to-sideline speed and playmaking ability could provide a much-needed spark to Eberflus’ defense.
This year’s third-round draft pick, CB Shavon Revel, is a bit more of a mystery. He was considered a first-round pick before a season-ending injury ended his season prematurely last year, which is why there are those who believe he was a draft day steal for the Cowboys. Expectations for him should be tempered, even though Dallas’ secondary desperately needs a shot in the arm.
So, with of DT Quinnen Williams, LB Logan Wilson, LB DeMarvion Overshown, and rookie CB Shavon Revel all potentially making their season debut in Week 11, Dallas’ new-look defense as a chance to be much improved from what we seen of them in the first half of the season. If nothing else, all of these new additions provide some more entertainment value for the remainder of the regular season.
