The Dallas Cowboys are in need of reinforcements at linebacker, a reality that hasn't changed since last season ended. Despite various roster adjustments, the middle of Christian Parker’s defense remains untouched.
As free agency began, rumors swirled about Dallas eyeing Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. While acquiring Queen would require a trade, the Cowboys have shown they’re open to making moves if the deal is right.
Recently, Nick Harris from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram shared his first mock draft of the season, notably leaving out a linebacker pick for the Cowboys. Harris suggested that Dallas might address this need through the trade market before the draft. In a social media exchange, Harris mentioned that the Cowboys seem to have shifted focus away from Patrick Queen, turning their attention to Azeez Al-Shaair and Jordyn Brooks instead.
Al-Shaair, currently with the Houston Texans, is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Meanwhile, Brooks, a Texas native with roots in both high school and college football in the state, was initially drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and now plays for the Miami Dolphins. Brooks also boasts a Pro Bowl season and was a First-Team All-Pro last year.
Between the two, Brooks might be more accessible due to the Dolphins' rebuilding phase compared to the Texans. Regardless, the Cowboys are clearly exploring options to bolster their linebacker position before the draft, aiming to avoid reaching for a player like Georgia’s CJ Allen out of necessity.
There’s also a chance the Cowboys could pull off a trade post-draft, similar to their approach last year when they targeted Tetairoa McMillan but had to adjust after he was unavailable. The strategy remains fluid, but the intent to strengthen the linebacker corps is evident.