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Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez kisses the championship trophy after winning the Big 12 Championship football game at AT&T Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington. Texas Tech defeated BYU 34-7.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
FRISCO \u2014 In case the cocktail in Jerry Jones’ hands during Thursday night’s news conference wasn’t enough of an indication, the Cowboys<\/a> were thrilled with how things went during the first round of the NFL draft. They landed Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick<\/a>, added edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd pick<\/a>, and turned two fifth-round picks into fourth round-picks.<\/p>\n “It’s more fun getting football players,” Jones said, “when you got two No. 1’s.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n And yet, there are still more holes for the Cowboys to fill, especially when it comes to linebacker. Currently, they have three inside linebackers on the roster: DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron.<\/p>\n “We’ve still got wood to chop,” Stephen Jones said Thursday night.<\/p>\n After two trades on Thursday, the Cowboys now have six picks remaining. Their only pick on Day 2, however, is the third-round pick they acquired from San Francisco in exchange for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa<\/a>. They also have three fourth-round picks as potential ammo to move up, but Stephen Jones said they would rather not trade multiple picks for one player.<\/p>\n Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n That means it could be a long wait before the Cowboys pick at No. 92. Here are 10 players they could target there:<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover on downs as Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) walks to the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n Longshots<\/p>\n Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez<\/a>: The Cowboys need a linebacker, and there aren’t many left who could step in immediately and start. Rodriguez is one of them. The Cowboys like the\u00a0Heisman contender, but they’re far from the only ones. If there is someone that starts to slip and could tempt them to trade up, it might be Rodriguez.<\/p>\n Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen: Allen is another player who would fall in the same boat as Rodriguez. The Cowboys value cognitive ability and processing ability in Christian Parker’s defense. They also need a linebacker who could potentially do that. Allen would fit, though they’d also likely have to trade up for him.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas linebacker Anthony Hill: The former Denton Ryan state champion could give the Cowboys an all-Longhorns starting linebacker corps. His athleticism would also give the Cowboys a ton of speed at the position.<\/p>\n Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n More possible<\/p>\n Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter: The Cowboys had a 30 visit with Trotter, the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. His NFL.com scouting report says he has “alpha energy,” which is a trait the Cowboys have targeted with early picks under Brian Schottenheimer.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas Tech edge Romello Height:\u00a0The selection of Malachi Lawrence might render this possibility moot. Height might also go before this. He’s another athletic edge rusher that could give the Cowboys more juice in their pass rush.<\/p>\n Ohio State tight end Max Klare: ESPN’s Benjamin Solak compared Klare on Thursday to Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson. Could Dallas pair them together? The Cowboys will likely draft a tight end this weekend. Tight ends coach Lunda Wells was in Columbus to visit with Klare.<\/p>\n Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad: The Cowboys have already added a bunch to their secondary this offseason, but they could still use a corner. Muhammad, a former two-time state champion at South Oak Cliff, would make sense. The Cowboys contingent saw him up close at Texas’ pro day.<\/p>\n Stephen F. Austin defensive back Charles Demmings (07) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo\/Michael Conroy)<\/p>\n Michael Conroy\/ASSOCIATED PRESS<\/p>\n Likely will be there<\/p>\n By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use<\/a> and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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