The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their 2026 organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and if the first few days are any indication, there is a new energy buzzing around The Star in Frisco. With Brian Schottenheimer officially installed as head coach and Klayton Adams taking over as offensive coordinator, the early storylines are about culture, leadership, and which players are stepping up to define this new era. Two names already rising above the noise are wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown.
For a franchise that has spent the last several seasons knocking on the door of something greater, only to fall short in January, the start of OTAs represents more than just voluntary workouts. It is the first real opportunity for Schottenheimer and his staff to imprint their identity on the roster. And if the early returns are any measure, Lamb and Overshown are carrying the torch.
CeeDee Lamb: The Alpha Receiver
Let's start with the obvious. CeeDee Lamb has been a superstar since the moment he stepped onto the field as a rookie, but entering his seventh NFL season, he is playing with a level of precision and authority that suggests he is not satisfied with individual accolades. Watching him in these early OTA sessions, it is clear he is operating as the clear-cut WR1, both in production and presence.
Under Klayton Adams, the Cowboys are expected to feature a more diverse passing attack that incorporates more motion, more stack releases, and more opportunities for their playmakers to create after the catch. Lamb, as the focal point of the scheme, is being deployed all over the formation. Early drills show him working from the slot, outside, and even taking handoffs on jet motion. It is a testament to his football IQ that he is already on the same page with quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Sam Howell, and Joe Milton III.
But what has stood out most in these first few days is Lamb's vocal leadership. He has been seen pulling aside younger wide receivers like Ryan Flournoy, Camden Brown, and Jordan Hudson after individual drills, offering technical corrections on route stems and release techniques. He is no longer just the guy making the spectacular catch; he is the guy making sure everybody around him is ready when their number is called.
That is a significant development for a Cowboys wide receiver room that has undergone a makeover. Alongside Lamb, the Cowboys are integrating new faces like George Pickens, who was acquired via trade during the 2025 offseason, and veterans like Parris Campbell and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Lamb's willingness to serve as a mentor while still demanding excellence from himself sets the tone for the entire offensive huddle.
From a matchup perspective, having Lamb draw consistent double teams should open up opportunities for Pickens on the outside and KaVontae Turpin in the slot. If the offensive line, anchored by Tyler Smith at guard and Cooper Beebe at center, holds up, this passing game has the potential to be explosive. But it all starts with Lamb, and so far, he is delivering.
DeMarvion Overshown: The Heartbeat of the Defense
If CeeDee Lamb is the engine of the offense, DeMarvion Overshown is quickly becoming the soul of the defense. After missing his entire rookie season in 2023 due to a torn ACL, Overshown returned in 2024 and flashed the kind of sideline-to-sideline athleticism that made him a fan favorite. Now, fully healthy and with a full season under his belt, he looks like a man on a mission.
In these OTA practices, Overshown has been impossible to ignore. He is flying around, covering ground that most linebackers simply cannot. In pass coverage drills, he has matched up with running backs out of the backfield and tight ends down the seam, showing the coverage skills that defensive coordinator Christian Parker covets in his scheme. Overshown's ability to play both the run and the pass at a high level gives Parker the flexibility to call more exotic pressures without leaving the middle of the field exposed.
But beyond the physical tools, Overshown is becoming a vocal leader. He can be heard calling out adjustments before the snap, aligning the front seven, and communicating with the secondary. In a defense that features established veterans like Quinnen Williams on the interior and Kenny Clark at defensive end, Overshown's emergence as a quarterback of the defense is a welcome development.
The linebacker corps is deeper than it has been in years. With Marist Liufau, Shemar James, and the experienced Rashan Gary also in the mix, the Cowboys have competition at every level. But Overshown has separated himself early. His energy is contagious. When he makes a play, the entire sideline erupts. That kind of emotional investment matters, especially in the dog days of spring workouts when the pads aren't even on yet.
A New Coaching Staff, A New Vibe
It is impossible to discuss these early OTA observations without acknowledging the shift in coaching philosophy. Brian Schottenheimer is not a flashy hire, but he is a steady hand with a deep understanding of offensive football. His approach has been methodical, deliberate, and focused on fundamentals. In team meetings, he has emphasized accountability and situational awareness. In practice, that translates to crisp huddles, minimal mental errors, and a fast tempo.
Klayton Adams has brought a new energy to the offensive meeting rooms. His background in the college game and his innovative use of pre-snap motion have already been evident in early installs. The Cowboys are running more bunch formations, more orbit motions, and more unbalanced looks than they did under previous offensive coordinators. It is early, but the players seem to be buying in.
Defensively, Christian Parker has inherited a unit loaded with talent. The defensive line rotation featuring Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, and Donovan Ezeiruaku is formidable. The secondary, headlined by DaRon Bland, Malik Hooker, and newcomers Cobie Durant and Caleb Downs, has the potential to be one of the best in the NFC. Parker's challenge is to get them all playing as one cohesive unit. Overshown's leadership in the middle is helping accelerate that process.
What It All Means for 2026
Obviously, OTAs in May do not win games in September. But they do set the foundation. The Cowboys are not just installing new systems; they are building a new culture. The fact that CeeDee Lamb and DeMarvion Overshown are leading the charge -- two players who have been through the highs and lows of this franchise -- is a promising sign.
For Lamb, this spring is about refining his craft and elevating those around him. For Overshown, it is about proving that his comeback story is just beginning. For the Cowboys as a whole, it is about erasing the memory of early playoff exits and building something that can sustain through a 17-game season and beyond.
There will be bumps along the road. Roster battles at receiver, cornerback, and along the offensive line are still unsettled. The quarterback room, while deep, still has questions about the pecking order behind Dak Prescott. But if the energy and effort on display in these first OTA sessions are any indication, the 2026 Cowboys are not content to just be good. They want to be great.
And with leaders like Lamb and Overshown setting the standard, they just might have the right guys to get them there.