Who is Jaishawn Barham? Introducing the Cowboys’ third-round pick
With the No. 92 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Michigan outside linebacker Jaishawn Barham. He was the lone selection of the day for the team.
“When I heard it, I was shocked and happy,” Barham said. “There was a lot going through my mind, but ultimately, my mom is a big fan. Seeing her smile made me know this is a blessing.”
In two seasons each at Maryland and Michigan, he combined for 119 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. His run defense could immediately step in as a presence off the edge for the Cowboys in the Christian Parker 3-4 defense or as an off the ball linebacker where he also played some snaps at Michigan.
“I talked to both coaches about playing off the ball and on the ball,” Barham said. “I feel like my goal is to be able to play both, as needed, pretty much.”
At 6-foot-3, 243 pounds, Barham steps into a now-crowded outside linebacker room where he figures in as one of the better run defenders and as a specialized pass rusher. During the draft process, he made a facility visit, or 30-visit, to the Cowboys’ headquarters in Frisco.
“When I first got to Dallas, I said, ‘This looks fake.’ Everything looks good,” Barham said. “Everything was brand-new. I feel like when I got to talk to the coaches, I was like, ‘OK, these coaches really know football. They’re building the defense, I can tell.’ New D-coordinator, new linebackers coach. So, I feel like when I got there, I felt like it was something I could be a part of by their culture and how they move.”
Coincidentally, Barham joins former Cowboys nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis (drafted in 2017) as the two Michigan products to be drafted by Dallas with the No. 92 overall selection.
“We used to see old film of him in meeting rooms,” Barham said. “I haven’t been able to meet him yet.”
Barham joins Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence as the three draft picks for the team so far this weekend. The Cowboys have also traded for veteran linebacker Dee Winters.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 10:07 PM.
