Pro Football Focus identified inside linebacker as the Cowboys’ “Biggest Need” for next season, highlighting a thin depth chart and underwhelming play from recent tiers. The team had only three linebackers who logged substantial snaps last year, and one of them, Shemar James, ranked 90th out of 94 at the position in PFF grade. Another veteran, Kenneth Murray Jr., remains a question mark as he searches for his next opportunity.
The discussion around upgrading has intensified as the draft approaches, with Ohio State’s Sonny Styles emerging as the top inside linebacker prospect linked to the Cowboys. Styles is viewed by many evaluators as a potential impact player who could transform the middle of Dallas’ defense, though his position in the first round is not guaranteed.
Dallas potentially has an affordability edge if Styles slips past the Top 10. A drop to No. 12 could translate into meaningful savings on his rookie contract compared with a higher selection, while still allowing the Cowboys to address a pressing need on day one of the 2026 class.
Mock drafts have varied, but several projections place Styles with the Cowboys at No. 12, or alternatively suggest the team could trade up or down depending on how the board unfolds. The broader takeaway is that the Cowboys may opt to secure a plug-and-play linebacker who can contribute immediately to stabilizing a vulnerable run defense.
Beyond Styles, the Cowboys are expected to explore other options in a draft that could reshape their front seven. The priority is clear: add athletic, versatile linebacker talent who can handle sideline-to-sideline duties and contribute as a tackler and run defender.
In summary, Dallas’ urgent need at inside linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft centers on upgrading a position that significantly influenced last year’s defensive shortcomings, with Styles emerging as a potential cornerstone piece if the Cowboys commit to a high-impact pick at No. 12.
