New defensive scheme forces position switch for struggling third-year Cowboys linebacker

Marist Liufau’s career with the Dallas Cowboys is officially at a crossroads, and we’re watching it play out in real time as Dallas completely retools its defense.

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Heading into Year 3, the 2024 third-round pick isn’t even playing inside linebacker anymore. Instead, he’s being moved to outside linebacker and trying to learn how to rush the passer completely from scratch.

The switch comes directly from new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Parker is bringing in a 3-4 scheme to replace the Matt Eberflus system that basically buried Liufau on the bench last year. After getting a solid 521 defensive snaps as a rookie, Liufau’s role completely collapsed to just 202 snaps in 2025 because the coaches shifted playing time over to Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray.

His stats definitely showed it, too. He finished the year with just 17 solo tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, and zero interceptions. That’s modest production for a guy everyone once thought could be an every-down cornerstone for this defense.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the switch at the NFL Combine, saying, «Marist Liufau, we’re gonna move him to outside linebacker. That kind of fits his strengths, right? He’s got length, he’s got long arms and he’s really good at disrupting the ball.» 

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He also acknowledged that Liufau will need to add weight to hold up against heavy NFL tackles, as he’s currently listed at 6-foot-2, 239 pounds.

But there’s an undeniable upside if this clicks. Liufau’s background in coverage gives defensive coordinator a hybrid defender who can drop into zones just as easily as he rushes off the edge. 

Sports Illustrated’s Randy Gurz called the position switch «not a great sign» for a player at this stage of his career. Gurz noted Liufau has the tools to make it work if he catches on to the edge, but with next to no experience there, he’s just as likely to struggle. 

If Liufau can bulk up and translate his range to the edge, he pairs with Ezeiruaku to give Dallas a young, cheap pass-rush duo. If not, a crowded depth chart makes him an obvious cut candidate heading into final roster cuts.

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