Cowboys' Perfect LB Target in 2026 Draft Gets Hall of Fame Comparison

The Dallas Cowboys attacked the early wave of NFL free agency by adding talent to the secondary for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. After finishing with the league's worst pass defense a season ago, the Cowboys focused on improving the defensive backfield.

Unfortunately, the heavy focus on the secondary -- which included the additions of players like Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, and P.J. Locke -- meant the team ignored another crucial position.

Dallas failed to land an inside linebacker throughout the first month of the new league year, and now has a glaring void in the middle of the defense. Entering April, the Cowboys have just three off-ball linebackers on the roster: DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James, and Justin Barron.

But while the team struck out on some of the top free agents at the position, there are some perfect fits available in the upcoming draft. Perhaps no one is a better fit for what the Cowboys need than Texas Tech Red Raiders superstar Jacob Rodriguez.

Jacob Rodriguez Brings What Dallas Currently Lacks

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez asks for more crowd noise during the Big 12 Championship | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rodriguez brings something that the Cowboys' defense currently lacks, and no, we're not talking about an impeccable mustache. Rodriguez's ability to force turnovers is something that set him apart from other linebackers at the college level, and it's something the Cowboys struggled with in 2025.

Dallas had a hard time forcing turnovers and putting the ball back into the hands of Dak Prescott and the explosive offense, and Rodriguez immediately would improve the team in that area.

Rodriguez recorded a career-high 128 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one sack, and one touchdown during his final season at Texas Tech. The seven forced fumbles set an NCAA record for most forced fumbles in a season, and proved his natural playmaking ability.

It's something that Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted the team is looking to add.

Last year’s turnover ratio still bothers Brian Schottenheimer. They want to remedy that. There’s a LB in the draft who excels in that category. https://t.co/dMJtzP384H
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) March 31, 2026

Then, you get Rodriguez's NFL comparison from ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum, who compared the unanimous All-American, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Bednarik Award winner to Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas.

"Rodriguez reminds me so much of Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. He has an incredible knack for forcing fumbles (seven last season, 13 over his career), and he picked off four passes in 2025," Tannenbaum wrote.

"Typically when someone is that productive and instinctive, it carries over to the next level. I'd want him on my team, even though he's slightly undersized at 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds. It's sort of impossible to think he won't make it as a starter in the NFL."

If Rodriguez is available when the Cowboys are on the clock at No. 20 overall, the team would be wise to strongly consider adding him to the new defensive scheme. And, as a former Texas Tech star, he would immediately be welcomed by the fan base. It's a win-win for the Cowboys.

Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez celebrates with the Big 12 Championship trophy | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25.

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