For weeks, if not months, the Dallas Cowboys have been tied to Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in just about every mock draft you read. But after a freakish performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, the No. 12 overall pick may not be enough to pick him come April.

The good news? Their perfect fit may be waiting for them in another LB prospect: Jacob Rodriguez, out of Texas Tech.

Draft expert points toward perfect fit LB

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one of the most respected voices in NFL Draft coverage, was asked in a recent show from dallascowboys.com about the perfect fit at linebacker for the Cowboys.

His answer wasn’t Styles but rather Rodriguez, who is a very realistic first-round target for Dallas.

“Jacob Rodriguez is a guy I keep coming back to,” Brugler said. “The theme of this draft as a whole is going to be just drafting football players. I think we get caught up with chasing traits and chasing upside. Just give me the good football players.”

What makes Rodriguez fit that description? Easy.

“The more I watch him, the more I think he’s not limited to a certain scheme,” Brugler added. “I think he really can do a lot of different things. Whether you’re asking him to get downhill and beat a block or take on a block, or if you’re asking him to zone drop and really sniff out the routes and understand the route concepts around him so he can get a bead on the ball and pick it off.”

Parker wants players like Rodriguez

Brugler’s words echo those of new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. While fit is obviously important, he’s looking for versatile football players for his scheme that will emphasize multiplicity.

“Of course there are schematic fits, but I think the really good players are the ones that you can’t peg into a certain scheme as the only way they can play football,” Parker said in his introductory press conference. “You want to have guys that, no matter what scheme they’re in, can be significant contributors, and then you just highlight their strengths.”

Parker has also talked about needing players that process the game, as his scheme requires a lot of communication during plays. Rodriguez could be that kind of player even as a rookie.

Rodriguez can be Cowboys version of Zack Baun

At Philadelphia, Parker enjoyed the benefit of having All-Pro linebacker in Zack Baun. Talking to my friend and colleague Tyler Forness, who is one of our draft experts here at A to Z Sports, he mentioned Rodriguez can play the same role Baun does for the Eagles.

Forness: “Jacob Rodriguez was one of the more intriguing prospects going into the NFL Draft process. He was the most productive linebacker in college football last season and was nearly a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

“There were some athleticism questions, as his production felt more rooted in a stud defensive line and instincts than athleticism.

“All Rodriguez did was have one of the more impressive combine performances, showcasing a better than expected athletic profile. If the Cowboys were to take Rodriguez, he would fit into the same role Zack Baun plays for the Philadelphia Eagles as the 3-down off ball linebacker for Christian Parker.”

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