Upcoming LB class

[Aven8]

I want Jacob Rodriquez manning the middle for the next 5 years. Dude is a man

 

[bleachedwheat]

I want Jacob Rodriquez manning the middle for the next 5 years. Dude is a man

If the Cowboys could get a 3rd round pick, that would be the ideal place to draft him. A second would be to high. He is a great linebacker but his lack of height will push him down a bit. I want to see what the arm length is, that will definitely help or hinder his draft stock the most. Over 32.5" would be ideal.

 

[CATCH17]

We need a linebacker like Rookie Leighton Vander Esch.

Tall, can run sideline to sideline, plays their gap strong, and can run backwards to get in passing lanes.

 

[Aven8]

If the Cowboys could get a 3rd round pick, that would be the ideal place to draft him. A second would be to high. He is a great linebacker but his lack of height will push him down a bit. I want to see what the arm length is, that will definitely help or hinder his draft stock the most. Over 32.5" would be ideal.

I remember another short LB that Jimmy while at Miami took a chance on. Zach Thomas. He’s not in that league of course but give me a dude that has a nose for the football.

 

[bleachedwheat]

I remember another short LB that Jimmy while at Miami took a chance on. Zach Thomas. He’s not in that league of course but give me a dude that has a nose for the football.

not sayin he can't play. I'm just inferring he has more pitfalls he has to overcome compared to the other Linebackers at the top of this years draft cycle. Scouts have certain parameters they follow and it skews their overall view of players, in turn it also affects how the front offices see these players. If the Cowboys continue on with Flus and his zone heavy scheme, they are going to look at longer LB's with good speed. J-Rod is a really good player, don't get me wrong. He just has some things working against him. Especially, with this front office.

 

[Acceptablename]

1) he isn't in this draft class

2) we need more than 1

3) he has plenty of ability, but the injury history is insane. I hope he makes for an amazing comeback story, but I'm not betting on it.

but I'm not betting on it , exactly

 

[Carson]

I want Jacob Rodriquez manning the middle for the next 5 years. Dude is a man

Still hard to believe they are playing defense down in Lubbock

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

We have to come away with Arvelle Reese in the 2026 draft

 

[Aven8]

Still hard to believe they are playing defense down in Lubbock

Each and every game I just wait for it to implode……today is the biggest test against Az St.

 

[atlantacowboy]

We should be able to land Sonny Styles with one of our 2 first rounds picks.

 

[Chasing6]

Arvell Reese is a guy shooting up boards this year. He might be a guy we have to take with our 1st pick if we want him. Same with Sonny Styles.

Hill and Allen could be candidates for our 2nd FRP

We need a Mike. I don't want another speed finesse LB

 

[TNCowboy]

We need a Mike. I don't want another speed finesse LB

Reese isn't a Mike, but he's also not a finesse LB.

 

[Hardline]

We need a linebacker like Rookie Leighton Vander Esch.

Tall, can run sideline to sideline, plays their gap strong, and can run backwards to get in passing lanes.

Anthony Hill Jr.

 

[CATCH17]

Anthony Hill Jr.

Yes..

 

[stilltheguru]

I think we're taking cj allen at 20 unless styles is available at 12.

 

[morasp]

I would opt for a LB in FA.

 

[Hardline]

We are so thin at LB I wouldn't care if both 1st round picks were LBs.

 

[morasp]

CJ Allen Georgia comp Zaire Franklin 6.29

Overview​

“Green dot” linebacker and team captain more capable of rowing the boat than making big splashes. Allen plays with toughness and control, sorting through run fits with patience and leverage in pursuit. He has average trigger quickness and pursuit speed, which forces him to work harder to get to junction points when facing climbing blockers. He has adequate size and strength with good hand strikes to play off blocks. He doesn’t blow up blocks or disrupt on the other side of the line all that often, though. He’s an effective blitzer with average man-cover talent and is capable on all three downs. Allen is a dependable starting Mike ‘backer who raises the floor of a defense.

Strengths​

• Doesn’t unnecessarily rush through his scrape process.
• Mirrors running backs from his perch with proper leverage.
• Usually secures gap leverage when taking on blocks.
• Pops and plays off the block to make tackles.
• Disguises and times up his blitz take-offs in A- and B-gaps.
• Technique and body control provide rare tackle-finishing success.
• Stays square and keeps eyes on the prize through the tackle.
• Quick close-outs from zone limit yards after the catch.

Weaknesses​

• Isn’t going to make as many high-value plays as you might expect.
• Average anticipation to play ahead of blocks.
• Needs to meet lead blocks deeper in the hole.
• Hip tightness inhibits stride length and pursuit speed.
• Needs to slip more blocks to make more tackles.
• Will have trouble making plays on the ball in man coverage.

Sources Tell Us​

“Gets them lined up, is tough and is a great leader.” -- NFC national scout

 

[morasp]

Sonny Styles OSU Comp Fred Warner 6.42

Overview​

Styles began his Ohio State career as a safety, but he settled in at linebacker in 2024. He’s improved in diagnosing play development. The former Buckeye diffuses block attempts with crisp hand strikes and leverages run fits with force/anchor strength. There are times when he slips back into a containment-based approach, but he has plenty of short-area quickness and pursuit speed to get where he needs to go. He can make an impact from multiple spots on the field and is a plus man-cover talent. Styles is an emerging player with the traits and versatility to garner longer looks by NFL evaluators. He could see his stock soar leading up to draft day.

Strengths​

• Lines up the defensive front and makes adjustments if needed.
• Disciplined in sifting through pre- and post-snap eye candy.
• Pops and separates from climbing blockers with a crisp punch.
• Constricts run fits by using size, force and technique.
• Scrapes quickly to the action without losing leverage.
• Impressive talent for slipping through traffic and into tackles.
• Versatility/athleticism can be weaponized for coverage disguise.
• Gains depth and widens to the flats with above-average quickness.
• Impeccable tackle finisher.

Weaknesses​

• Recognition of blocking schemes needs more work.
• Can afford to crank up the urgency at times.
• Slow to reaccelerate on stop/start movements in pursuit.
• Tight hips prevent fluid change of direction from downhill flow.
• Inconsistent shading zone drops to quarterback’s eyes.
• Average instincts and physicality as a blitzer.

Sources Tell Us​

“It’s hard to look at him and think that he was ever a safety with that frame. And he’s always been wired like a linebacker.” – AFC regional scout

 

[morasp]

Jake Golday Cincinnati comp Malik Harrison 6.34

Overview​

Golday is a big, explosive linebacker with a game best suited for work near the line of scrimmage. He attacks climbing blockers with heavy, aggressive hands. He also shows the strength to stack, compress gaps and finish with authority. While his performance at the point of attack stands out, he can be a little late diagnosing play design and needs to work with a more preemptive downhill trigger at times. He’s more powerful than elusive as a blitzer and is average in coverage. Golday’s traits, explosiveness and field demeanor should make him an early special teams standout with the potential to eventually start at Sam or inside linebacker.

Strengths​

• Explosive athlete with impressive size.
• Attacks blocks and constricts run flow with heavy hands.
• Scrapes with tempo alterations to leverage the run.
• Effective use of hands to play off blockers and make sudden tackles.
• Comes to balance and has good stopping power as a tackler.
• Not easily manipulated out of his zone by the quarterback’s eyes.
• Can immediately step in as a kick-cover talent.

Weaknesses​

• Average quickness to diagnose and read the play design.
• Will work under blocks and lose the angle on occasion.
• Needs a quicker downhill trigger to blow up the blocking scheme.
• Long legs with average short-area agility in coverage.
• Could struggle covering running backs if asked.
• Linear pass rusher with below-average elusiveness.