What round is worth the risk of drafting an LB?

Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark are the two names the Cowboys currently have manning the linebacker spot on this football team.

Yes, DeMarvion Overshown will return once he recovers from injury, but depth at the position is going to be needed.

With that said, what round would be smart for the Cowboys to make that pick on a linebacker?

In the past, Dallas has found success finding players like Sean Lee, Leighton Vander Esch, and even Jaylon Smith when he was good for his one season.

Here ye, here ye. Come one, come all to this draft week #Cowboys seven-rounder.

Let the fun begin! pic.twitter.com/BLrkxxY3Pl

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 22, 2024

Best Fit?

Edgerrin Cooper and Payton Wilson are probably the best two linebackers in this year’s draft.

Cooper went to Texas A&M while Wilson played at NC State. Wilson has struggled with injuries though.

He does fit the need that Mike Zimmer wants at his linebacker spot, but would the Cowboys take him at pick 56 if he falls?

Cowboys open their voluntary offseason program today at The Star. Phase 1 is limited to meetings, working out, rehab. First time Mike Zimmer can show changes coming with his defensive system. Bigger question: Will CeeDee Lamb be there? No big deal if not but something to monitor.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 15, 2024

In his last season at Texas A&M, Cooper had 83 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles along with one defended pass.

One red flag of concern cropped up after the season ended.

While Cooper had a solid performance in the East-West Shrine game, he refused to practice with the team. He also interviewed poorly with the NFL teams there. Yet, not trying to be funny about this, he seems like a guy the Cowboys would draft simply because of this issue.

He also fared poorly in his NFL Combine interviews.

I still wouldn’t take either of these players that early, it is just not worth the risk!

Don’t Reach

The last thing the Cowboys need to do is waste a pick on a linebacker who won’t even see the field for them.

This is why I am not a GM, but my plan of attack would be to go through the draft like normal, and if a pick gets around to you and the best available is a linebacker, pull the trigger.

Ty’Ron Hopper from the University of Missouri is projected to go in the fifth round. Keep your eyes on him.

Ty'Ron Hopper is a LB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 7.42 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 745 out of 2889 LB from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/DRhUu87rLM pic.twitter.com/5NT3127bhp

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 22, 2024

He has the speed to stay with running backs and tight ends in coverage. The only problem would be that he needs to bulk up if he wants to be a good fit in the Mike Zimmer defense.

He will struggle to defend the run just by his normal size.

It is hard to tell what this team will do at pick no. 56, but I wouldn’t take a linebacker, I would wait until at least the 4th or 5th round to even think about it.

Hopper transferred from Florida, and played 1,875 defensive snaps. He recorded 32 pressures in 2022 on just 125 pass-rushing reps. He finished his collegiate career with 65 pressures and is an asset when blitzing.

They need to bolster the offensive line and add a running back.

This team is not going to fix everything with just a handful of picks in the draft, but they can at least do the right thing and not reach for “project,” players.

Get guys in the building that can help you win now, and that would be getting an offensive lineman, and running back and then adding the best available players.

Let’s see what this team does on Thursday and then we can go from there, but don’t let this fool you, they may even trade out of the first round and gain more picks so they can try and add as many players as they possibly can.

It is going to be a long summer for us Cowboys fans, not nearly as much hope as we had a season ago when they traded for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks in March.