With the NFL Draft a little less than a month away, the Dallas Cowboys have a couple of defensive needs they should address before draft night. One of the most obvious is the inside linebacker room. The group currently consists of DeMarvion Overshown, who has shown flashes of being a standout but is coming off two ACL injuries in his NFL career; Shemar James, last year’s fifth-round pick who made an impact but was inconsistent, partly due to his 6'1", 225-pound frame; and Justin Barron, a UDFA who spent most of last season on the practice squad but is viewed highly by the coaching staff.

Last Friday, in a since-deleted tweet, Nick Harris reported that the Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks were potential trade options after Dallas shifted interest away from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. The report sparked mixed reactions across social media. In this piece, we’ll break down three reasons why the Cowboys should pursue Brooks.

He’s Still in His Prime

This wouldn’t be a move for a linebacker at the tail end of his career. Jordyn Brooks is 28 years old and will turn 29 in October, placing him squarely in his prime. He’s coming off a career year where he earned his first Pro Bowl/All-Pro recognition and led the league with 183 combined tackles, along with 3.5 sacks, 61 stops, and a forced fumble. That level of production shows he can be an immediate difference-maker for Dallas.

His Play Style

Brooks is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker and an elite run stopper who consistently makes his presence felt. He brings leadership, physicality, and improved coverage ability, checking every box for what defensive coordinator Christian Parker needs in an inside linebacker. His ability to diagnose plays quickly and finish tackles would add stability and toughness to the middle of the Cowboys’ defense.

Contract Fit

Jordyn Brooks signed a three-year deal worth around $26–30 million with the Miami Dolphins, averaging roughly $9–10 million per year. His contract is structured with manageable cap hits and flexibility, making it realistic for the Dallas Cowboys to absorb without major financial strain. Compared to top-tier linebackers, Brooks comes at a mid-tier price for high-level production. Dallas could restructure or spread cap hits if needed, but as it stands, his deal aligns well with their cap situation while still leaving room to address other needs in the draft.

Short-term gain for Dallas, long-term value for Miami

This is what we want to see:

• The Dallas Cowboys acquire linebacker Jordyn Brooks, adding a reliable, high-tackle defender to strengthen their front seven right away.

• The Miami Dolphins get a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifthth-round pick, giving them future draft assets to build depth and develop younger talent.