When the Dallas Cowboys drafted linebacker Shemar James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the plan was clear: develop him as a depth piece and special teams contributor. Fast forward to 2026, and James has already exceeded those initial expectations—climbing from a raw rookie to a key part of the defensive rotation.

James burst onto the scene last season, earning six starts and logging more defensive snaps than any Cowboys linebacker except veteran Kenneth Murray. It wasn't always smooth sailing. The rawness that made him a fifth-round pick showed at times, and he graded out as one of the league's lower-rated linebackers overall. But context matters. Dallas's linebacker room was in flux: free-agent addition Jack Sanborn struggled and got hurt, Murray was miscast in the middle, Marist Liufau lost his way in the scheme, Damone Clark was cut midseason, and DeMarvion Overshown's return from injury was slow and limited.

In the chaos, James found opportunity. And while his play had rough patches, his athletic traits—especially as a blitzer—flashed real playmaking potential. Those flashes were enough to keep him on the roster this offseason, and he enters camp with a solid base of believers.

Now, with a year of NFL experience under his belt and a clearer path to playing time, James has the chance to turn that potential into consistent production. For Cowboys fans, he's a player worth watching closely in 2026.