Training camp may be underway, but the main story following America’s Team this past week was the front office alluding to additional roster moves being made. Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones made it clear that Dallas is still in the trade market, and an addition to the Cowboys linebacker room makes the most sense.
Sure, Maxx Crosby could also make sense, but I think Dallas is comfortable with their EDGE room, at least for now.
In my eyes, that leaves the linebacker position as the most likely place they are thinking of adding to. It was their worst group last season, and while Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham are nice additions, they could use a true top dog in the room.
Two options in particular stand out, and that’s what we’ll get into here; this is a quick overview and comparison between free agent Bobby Wagner and Dolphins star Jordyn Brooks.
Bobby Wagner Overview: Long-Time NFL Veteran Still Produces
(36 Y/O, 162 Total Tackles for Washington in 2025, All-Pro in 2024).
“B-Wags” has been filling up the tackle sheet in the NFL since 2012, and this is the first time he has really been left without a team.
The 36-year-old former Seahawk, Ram, and Commander, has been rumored to be a Cowboys target for a long time, but this seems like the first real chance at it becoming a reality.
Wagner’s 11-year All-Pro streak (insane stat right there) was broken last season, as his numbers took a slight downturn and his actual performance did seem like that of a nearly 40-year-old linebacker. The speed and quickness just isn’t as elite as it once was.
Still, he’s a fantastic IQ and locker room player, productive, and would clearly be a starter for Dallas. He isn’t a long-term fix like Brooks, but he is a logical low-cost band-aid on a big issue for Dallas.
Jordyn Brooks: Dolphins Star Would Bring Steep Cost & Elite Play
(28 Y/O, League-Leading 183 Total Tackles in 2025, First All-Pro Nod in 2025, New Expensive Extension, Dallas, TX Native).
Brooks’s stock skyrocketed last season with that absolutely elite year, and it resulted in trade rumors with Dallas and ultimately a new contract with Miami.
The deal was for 3-years and $51M in new money; that’s a steep price for a linebacker, no doubt about it, but at his age and with his trajectory, I think it ends up being a bargain. Despite the extension with the Phish, Bryan Broaddus noted whispers of Brooks talks with Dallas recently.
It would cost the Cowboys a draft pick, and a premium one to be certain, and they’d be taking on that new money. However, he is a long-term fix and an immediate star on a defense that is just a few steps away.
The former Red Raider would be a big investment, as opposed to Wagner, but he could be the best man for the job of turning the Cowboys linebacker room into one of the best in football.
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