Cowboys Eyeing Top Linebacker in 2026 NFL Draft

Dallas holds two first-round picks and could trade up to land Ohio State's Sonny Styles

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:56am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in the midst of a tackle, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of navy, green, and orange, conveying the intensity and dynamism of the sport.The Cowboys' aggressive pursuit of a top linebacker prospect reflects their defensive-minded draft strategy as they aim to build a championship contender.Dallas Today

With two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys are primed to add impact rookies to their playoff-ready roster. According to top draft experts, the Cowboys are strongly linked to trading up into the top 10 to select Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have long prioritized defense in the draft, and landing a top linebacker prospect like Styles could bolster their unit as they aim to make a deep playoff run. Trading up would be an aggressive move, but Dallas has the capital to do so with their two first-round selections.

The details

The Cowboys hold the 12th and 20th overall picks in the 2026 draft. Three top NFL draft analysts - ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, and The Athletic's Dane Brugler - have all projected the Cowboys trading up to select Styles, considered one of the top defensive players in the class.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Sonny Styles

A highly touted linebacker prospect from Ohio State University who is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Brian Schottenheimer

The Dallas Cowboys' offensive coordinator, who is not the primary driver behind the team's draft strategy according to reports.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Cowboys will look to finalize their draft plans in the coming weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in late April.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' aggressive pursuit of a top defensive prospect like Sonny Styles underscores their commitment to building a championship-caliber roster through the draft, as they aim to capitalize on their two first-round picks in 2026.