Cowboys Eye Texas Linebackers in 2026 Draft

0:00On March 26, the Dallas Cowboys have a clear need at linebacker heading into the 2026 NFL draft and their eyeing top talents from, right in Texas. With picks at number 12 and number 20, team owner Jerry Jones hosted Texas Longhorn Star Anthony Hill Jr., a 21-year-old standout for a private dinner before his pro day. Hill has impressed with his production against tough competition and pairing him with current linebacker Demarby and Overshone could solidify the position for years. Meanwhile, other prime options include Ohio State's Arvel Reese, a versatile defender who can rush the passer like Micah Parsons did early on, and even Texas Tech's David Bailey, the class's top edge rusher. Safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State also fits as a do-it-all player for the secondary. Cowboys coach Brian Shottenheimer stressed drafting naturally without reaching, noting they built good depth, but still need key pieces. Fans and insiders see this as a chance to inject speed and energy into the defense, which

1:03has relied on veterans like Eric Kendrick's without long-term, fixes. The Cowboys' history of smart drafts makes these local prospects exciting, especially with Hill modeling his game after Dallas stars. On another note, they're checking out running back Emmett Smith IV, son of the Hall of Famer, who rush for over 18,000 yards with. The team, during their Dallas Day workouts, plus the NFL's shifting the 2026 kickoff to Wednesday, September 9th, with the Cowboys as a top candidate to face the Seattle Seahawks. As player acquisition ramps up around the clock, expect the Cowboys to target these linebackers aggressively, setting up a dynamic front-7 for the future. That's your NFL News Today update, AI-powered and always on.