Cowboys' 4th Round LB Success

0:00On April 7, Dallas Cowboys fans, with a draft coming up, folks are buzzing about using one of those first round picks on a linebacker. But history tells a different story. The team struck gold-finding solid LBs in the middle rounds, especially the 4th. Over the last 15 drafts, they've nailed it, without reaching early. Take that hot streak from 2012 to 2015. They grabbed Kyle Wilber out of Wake Forest in the 4th that year. He became a special team's ace and rotational guy with starts over 4 seasons. Then Anthony Hitchens in 2014, a steal from Iowa, who started 48 games, averaged 76 tackles a year, and even bold. Out later with the Chiefs, including a Super Bowl win, Damien Wilson followed in 2015, another special team's beast who stepped up as a starter too. Sure, they've had flashes from earlier picks like Bruce Carter in the second round of 2011, Jaylen Smith in 2016, and First Rounder Layton Vander-Ech in 2019.

1:02Demarbian overshone from the 3rd round looks promising, but none of those early guys stuck around long-term or became franchise anchors. Now scouts are eyeing names like CJ Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, who they met at the combine, and Anthony Hill. Allen and Rodriguez might go lay first or second round. Hill around second, but Dallas has no second rounder. At the point, Will McClay and the crew can spot talent anywhere in the first 4 rounds. Bottom line, Cowboys shouldn't force the first round LB Grab. They've proven day 3 sleepers were just fine, fourth rounds their sweet spot. Keep swinging there if the top guys slide. From around the league, powered by AI, this is NFL News Today.