Cowboys third-round pick Jaishawn Barham is ready to do whatever is needed for Christian Parker, including creating chaos on defense.
Most knew the Dallas Cowboys' draft would have a big focus on defense for Christian Parker, and that proved true.
Five of Dallas' seven draft picks were used on defense, with Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham taken in the third round.
Managing 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks for Michigan last season, Barham comes to Dallas looking to be a key component of Parker's defense.
While Barham was used as an edge rusher in spots during college, he will be used at inside linebacker by Parker, something that isn't unfamiliar to him at all.
Armed with explosive power and speed, Barham could be quite the player for Parker.
And he knows what he can do for his new defensive coordinator.
“Just coming downhill, landing that thump, bring that force, power, just causing chaos pretty much,” Barham said. “Being able to blitz from off the ball, covering guys, stopping the run. So, I feel like you could do a little bit more from being on the inside. That's what we going to start trying to help the team.”
So, Barham is ready to rock for Parker's defense, and with rookie minicamp soon beginning followed by OTAs and then training camp, it is going to be an offseason of learning for Barham.
With Brian Schottenheimer and Parker wanting their players to be multiple and play in several different positions, exactly where Barham will play in Christian's scheme will be fascinating.
But how does Jaishawn feel he can fit into what Parker wants to do in 2026?
"Just my intensity, aggression that I play with, I feel like the style of play, my style of play, I feel like that kind of fit the way he coaches and the way they preach in this building," Barham added. "So, I feel like my aggressiveness, my style of play going to change."
It is going to be a fascinating watch to see how Parker's defensive vision comes together over the course of the offseason.
Yes, Caleb Downs will be the centerpiece to that, and to some extent, Malachi Lawrence as well, but don't sleep on Barham and what he can do either.
He's clearly got a knack for making quarterbacks uncomfortable, and in Parker's scheme, I'd imagine he's going to get his chance to go quarterback hunting.