{"id":607864,"date":"2026-04-16T11:26:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/607864\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T11:26:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T11:26:11","slug":"cowboys-visited-prospect-with-massive-2026-nfl-draft-projection-range","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/607864\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys Visited Prospect With Massive 2026 NFL Draft Projection Range"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a week to go before the 2026 NFL Draft, we can add another visit to the list for the Dallas Cowboys, and it comes with a player at a major position of need<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to Justin Melo of NFL Draft On SI, the Cowboys met with Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker<\/a> Jaden Dugger. It isn’t clear when this meeting took place, but this is the first time we’ve heard of a Cowboys meeting<\/a> with Dugger.<\/p>\n

“I had meetings with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, and the New York Jets as well,” he told Melo.<\/p>\n

With Dugger now added to the list, Dallas has met with a handful of linebackers, at least that we know of. The others include Arvell Reese, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Sonny Styles and Josiah Trotter.<\/p>\n

A former wide receiver and defensive back\"Missouri<\/p>\n

Missouri running back Marquise Davis and Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Jaden Dugger. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In the interview with Melo, it was revealed that Dugger once played wide receiver before eventually switching to linebacker.<\/p>\n

“Probably the communication part. It was totally new to me. You\u2019re not doing that stuff at wide receiver. I had to get used to being the quarterback of the defense. I had to become that guy,” Dugger explained.<\/p>\n

According to his college bio, while attending Georgetown, Dugger saw time at defensive back<\/a>, which further shows his impressive athleticism.<\/p>\n

Why Cowboys could draft Dugger\"Dallas<\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Of course, the Cowboys have a major need at linebacker<\/a> next to DeMarvion Overshown, and while the expectation has been that Dallas could address the position early in the 2026 NFL Draft, nothing is ever certain over the three-day event.<\/p>\n

If the Cowboys just whiff on a linebacker over the first two days, they could take a look at Dugger later in the draft.<\/p>\n

It’s also possible the Cowboys could double-dip at the position given the fact that they lost a pair of players in Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson. Dugger would amount to a solid depth and developmental option.<\/p>\n

Dugger’s experience as a defensive back gives him coverage skills, and he’s got the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed that linebackers need. Then there’s Dugger’s frame. He stands at about 6-foot-4 but also weighs in at 240 pounds and possesses 35-inch arms. <\/p>\n

As a result of his frame, athleticism, playstyle and impressive showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl, Melo labeled Dugger as one of the best value selections<\/a> at linebacker in the later rounds of the draft.<\/p>\n

Massive projection range\"Linebacker<\/p>\n

Linebacker Jaden Dugger during the Louisiana Ragin\u2019 Cajuns. | SCOTT CLAUSE \/ USATODAY Network \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Dugger pegged as a seventh-round pick<\/a>. If so, the Cowboys would have an immediate crack at him with the second pick in that round, which comes from the Tennessee Titans.<\/p>\n

However, ESPN’s Jordan Reid actually has Dugger ranked as the No. 15 linebacker<\/a> in this year’s class and projects him to go in the fourth round. Dallas has a fourth-round pick, also.<\/p>\n

The incredibly wide range of projections just goes to show how big of a wild card Dugger will be on draft day. Nevertheless, he’s clearly someone to keep an eye on for Dallas on Day 3.<\/p>\n

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