The Dallas Cowboys had the NFL’s worst defense in 2025, and while no 1 position could shoulder all the blame for that performance, the play of their inside linebackers was particularly horrendous.
It’s 1 big reason why the Cowboys are being called on to fix the position in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft, and do so in the most urgent way possible.
Pro Football Focus listed inside linebacker as the “Biggest Need” for the Cowboys headed into next season.
“Several teams are lining up for linebackers in the draft, but the Cowboys have just three linebackers on the roster who combined for 760 snaps last year,” PFF’s Daire Carragher wrote on Tuesday. “Third-year player DeMarvion Overshown has displayed promise, but this team desperately needs an upgrade from Shemar James, who finished last year ranked 90th out of 94 linebackers in PFF grade (39.9). One of the few linebackers who graded below James — fellow Cowboy Kenneth Murray Jr. — is still searching for his next home. Ideally, Jerry Jones won’t be calling upon Murray for his services again in 2026. Will he make a splash trade up for Sonny Styles? It would be sure to grab the headlines once again.”
Cowboys Might Luck Out With No. 12 Overall Pick
The Cowboys have 2 picks in the 1st round — No. 12 and No. 20 — but may not have to trade up to draft Ohio State’s Styles, who is considered the top inside linebacker prospect in the draft.
The closer we get to the draft, the more it’s beginning to seem like Styles is destined to drop out of the Top 10.
The latest mock draft from Pro Football Focus has Styles going to the Cowboys at No. 12 overall — a sharp drop from where he’s been in recent mock drafts, which saw him going as high as No. 5 overall to the New York Giants.
Styles’ Drop Could Mean Big Savings for Dallas
That could also mean great value for the Cowboys, because the difference between the No. 5 and No. 12 pick in the draft, in terms of money, is considerable.
According to the NFL’s rookie pay scale, Styles would receive a 4-year, $45.6 million rookie contract with the Giants. If Styles drops to the Cowboys, he receives a 4-year, $25 million rookie contract.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has the Cowboys selecting Styles at No. 12 in his latest mock draft. ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.’s 1st mock draft had the Cowboys selecting Styles there as well.
From PFF: “The fourth-ranked player on PFF’s big board falling to 12th overall would be quite a surprise, but we have seen elite front-seven combine performers fall in drafts before. It is also worth noting that many evaluators do not classify linebacker as a premium position. You can trust Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys to stop the slide and claim the headlines. Beyond his physical attributes, Styles excelled at getting ball carriers to the ground this past season. He led the team in PFF tackling grade (91.6) and recorded just two missed tackles on 90 total attempts.”
In front of all of the NFL’s most important decision makers, Styles not only ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and broad jumped 11-feet, 2 inches, but he also registered a mind-melting 43.5-inch vertical leap — the best anyone at his position has jumped in over 20 years.
Cowboys ‘Desperately’ Want to Fix Specific Position in NFL Draft