Texas star Anthony Hill all but gives Cowboys the green light to draft him – Jason Kandel, The Landry Hat
Could Anthony Hill Jr. be paired with DeMarvion Overshown?
One of the biggest needs the Dallas Cowboys have left to fill is at linebacker, and Jerry Jones might not have to look very far to find one in the 2026 NFL Draft. Two of the best linebackers in this draft are from the Lone Star State, and Texas Longhorns’ star Anthony Hill Jr. should be the apple of his eye.
Drafting Hill in the first round might be a little rich, but it’s clear that Dallas has interest. They took the 21-year-old out to a private
dinner before the Texas Pro Day, and after watching him light up the SEC from their backyard across the last couple of seasons, it’s hard not to take notice of his production.
The Cowboys already have one Texas linebacker that’s blossoming into a star in DeMarvion Overshown, so why not make it two? While addressing the media at Texas’ Pro Day, Hill was asked about the opportunity to join forces with Overshown in the NFL, and his response did not disappoint.
“There can’t be two Agent 0’s, so I know I’d have to get a new number. But it would be a blessing to play with him. I’ve been watching him my whole life. It’d be really cool playing with him, just learning from him, and (I’ve been) kind of modeling my game after him while I’ve been at Texas.”
Cowboys NFL Draft big board: 25 possibilities with their 2 first-round picks – Jon Machota, The Athletic
Here are the top choices for Dallas in the NFL draft.
Dallas has two first-round picks, Nos. 12 and 20. The offense should again be one of the league’s best. With all of that in mind, we are not including top quarterback prospects, such as Fernando Mendoza, or top receiving prospects, such as Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon.
“I think we did a really good job of setting ourselves up to be able to draft natural and draft pure, which is what you want to do,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer told the team’s website from Texas’ pro day on Tuesday. “You don’t want to have to be forced to reach for a player, that’s when you make mistakes.
“We’ve added some really good pieces, we’ve got some good depth. There’s still a few positions that we need to address, that’s all part of the process. … (Player acquisition) is 24/7, 365 and it never stops. We’re never stopping to look, we’re always open for business.”
The Cowboys should be able to land two of the following players off our latest big board.
1. Arvell Resse, LB, Ohio State
Reese gets the top spot because he could help the Cowboys in many ways. Similar to when Micah Parsons was drafted, Reese could rush the passer and be an off-the-ball linebacker.
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Cowboys have signed veteran safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, but that shouldn’t affect their interest in Downs, if he is available. The do-everything safety could help at both safety spots and at nickel. He would seem to be the perfect backend piece to add to Christian Parker’s new defense.
3. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
He’s widely considered the best pass rusher in this class. Dallas traded for Rashan Gary but pass rush is still a need. Bailey will likely be long gone before Pick 12, so this would likely have to be a trade-up situation.
Cowboys to Host Emmitt Smith’s Son for Dallas Day Visit – Randy Gurzi, Cowboys On SI
Like father like son.
Emmitt Smith had a legendary career with the Dallas Cowboys. The Hall of Fame back helped them win three Super Bowls as the offensive centerpiece of their 1990s dynasty.
Smith even became the NFL’s leading rusher, gaining 17,162 yards on the ground during his 13 seasons with the Cowboys. He added 1,193 yards in two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, giving Smith a total of 18,355 yards rushing in his career.
Now, the Cowboys are apparently kicking the tires on Smith’s son. EJ Smith IV said he will work out for the Cowboys during their annual Dallas Day visit.
The Dallas Cowboys may end up being a part of strange NFL scheduling decision, and it would be advantage – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports
A schedule change could impact the Cowboys schedule in a good way.
The NFL is making a strange decision with the 2026 schedule, and the Dallas Cowboys may end up being involved in it.
The league announced it will hold the NFL Kickoff on Wednesday, Sept. 9, instead of doing on a Thursday as usual. The Seattle Seahawks will host the game after winning Super Bowl LX in February.
The decision to play the kickoff game on a Wednesday is a result of the league’s trip to Melbourne, Australia between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. The international matchup will take place Thursday night (ET time, the game will be Friday morning in local time).
Cowboys are a candidate to face the Seahawks
The Seahawks’ opponent remains TBD but with the Cowboys being one of their “away” opponents for the 2026 season, they’re a strong candidate to be playing on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The Seahawks’ opponent remains TBD but with the Cowboys being one of their “away” opponents for the 2026 season, they’re a strong candidate to be playing on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The Cowboys are the only NFL team with three appearances as the away team in the league’s Kickoff game since 2002. They’ve appeared in the opening game twice since 2021, including last year against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears are also strong candidates for the matchup. The NFL is expected to announce the full schedule in May.
Cowboys should draft this turnover machine – Dan Roger’s, Blogging The Boys
Jacob Rodriguez is a player that makes sense for Dallas in the NFL draft.
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense has a need. A need for speed. And there is no bigger need for fast players than at the linebacker position. The team has attempted to get by with some veteran players, such as Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray Jr., in recent seasons while younger players continue to develop, but they have lacked stability at the position.
Despite some modest activity in free agency to patch the holes, the front office has not yet landed a long-term solution at the second level. The time has come for the Cowboys to look toward the draft for a fresh infusion of energy, and there is one particular prospect who plays with the kind of reckless abandon that would put a smile back on Jerry Jone’s face.
LB, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 231 pounds | Speed: 4.57 forty time
Background
Jacob Rodriguez did not take the traditional path to becoming a defensive stud. He began his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, where he was essentially the Swiss Army knife of the roster. Originally a quarterback, he spent his time under center, lining up at tight end, and even taking snaps as a wildcat runner. Eventually, he decided that instead of managing the offense, he would much rather dismantle it.
He transferred to Texas Tech and fully transitioned to the linebacker position, a move that proved to be a stroke of genius. Over the last two seasons, he has transformed into a tackling machine for the Red Raiders. His most eye-popping statistic is his ability to displace the football from its owner, as he famously tied an NCAA record by forcing seven fumbles in a single season.
Strengths
When you watch Rodriguez play, the first thing you notice is a level of intensity that suggests he might have replaced his morning coffee with rocket fuel. He possesses an elite lateral burst that allows him to shoot through gaps before offensive linemen can blink. His motor simply does not have an off switch, as he will chase a ball carrier forty yards downfield just to prove a point. This agility makes him a nightmare in pursuit, allowing him to navigate through traffic with the grace of a gazelle and the impact of a sledgehammer.
Beyond physical traits, Rodriguez operates with a high level of football intelligence, serving as his secret weapon. Because he spent so much time as a quarterback, he can read an opposing signal-caller like an open book. He often anticipates the play-call before the ball is snapped, putting him in a perfect position to blow up screens or fill running lanes. Off the field, he is regarded as a high-character leader who brings an infectious positive energy to the locker room, making him the exact type of glue guy coaches love to have on their side.
