Dallas Cowboys are at least one step closer toward making a trade for an All-Pro linebacker
The Dallas Cowboys are at least trying to make something happen at linebacker.
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t being shy about their free agency shortcomings at inside linebacker, nor about their pressing need for one ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. And based on the latest intel, they recently took an important step toward making a high-profile trade happen.
Cowboys inquiring about All-Pro linebacker
Earlier this month, Cowboys insider Nick Harris from Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the team was “discussing” a potential trade for Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks. While an encouraging development, we didn’t know the extent of that discussion or if they had in fact reached out to the Dolphins in the first place.
Now we know they did, which gets the Cowboys one step closer toward making a deal happen. The Dolphins have fielded a couple of calls interested in trading for Brooks, according to Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly.
“The Dallas Cowboys are one of those teams, according to a source,” Kelly wrote. “However, a deal is not imminent.”
While the Dolphins are also working on a potential contract extension for Brooks, the truth is the timing is a little bit off. With ten draft picks in the Top 100 and on the heels of trading away S Minkah Fitzpatrick and WR Jayden Waddle, the Dolphins are firmly in rebuild mode.
That’s a process that will take two or three years, at minimum. At 28 years old, Brooks’ prime will be in the rearview mirror by the time the Dolphins are ready to be contenders. Thus, getting draft picks in return is clearly something they’ll have to at least consider.
Cowboys are uniquely positioned for a strong offer
As a 28 year old on a contract year, many consider Brooks’ price tag in the trade market to be close to a third-round draft pick. However, he’s fresh off of a first-team All-Pro season. The Dolphins waited to deal Waddle until they got a mind-blowing offer.
Fortunately, if the Cowboys want Brooks badly enough, they’re positioned to make something work. Recently, I proposed an out-of-the-box trade where the Cowboys send No. 92 overall (the third rounder they got for DT Osa Odighizuwa) and a swap of their first-round picks with the Dolphins’.
In that scenario, the Cowboys would get picks No. 11, No. 30, and Brooks. The Dolphins would wind up with picks No. 12, No. 20, and No. 92.
It would be an aggressive and costly move, but after missing out on several free agents, it should be time for the Cowboys to come to terms with the idea of overpaying. As long as you’re getting an All-Pro at a position of need, they should be ready to be aggressive.
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