The Dallas Cowboys are one of a handful of teams that could benefit from a very strong linebacker class, with Texas star Anthony Hill Jr. standing out as one of at least four players who have a shot at being picked in the first round.
Hill is not going to be for everyone thanks to a skillset that might make him very scheme specific in the NFL, but he has many of the traits that coordinators and coaches will be looking for.
Will Hill end up being picked on Day 1, or will concerns about his ceiling in a pass-happy NFL force some teams to wait until Day 2 before they choose to select him?
Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 245
- Recruiting: 2023 5-star, No. 19 national, No. 2 LB, No. 3 TX
Positives
- Hard-hitter who is a masterful run defender in between the tackles. Makes tackles well in open space and is capable of quickly diagnosing run plays to take the optimal route to the ball.
- Very impressive football brain, can quickly ID run concepts. Solid athlete for the position who is able to break on the ball and recover to make plays in both run and pass defense. Should be able to handle the complexities of an NFL playbook right away.
- Played some of his best ball against premier competition, suggests smoother transition to NFL physicality.
Hill would have been a Top 5 pick if this was 1992. He is a bigger linebacker who hits with splintering force whenever he can line up a shot at a tackler. His athleticism for a linebacker that almost tips the scales at 250 pounds is incredibly impressive.
Hill shows great pursuit speed, and his overall mobility suggests that he can be taught the finer points of coverage play by the right coach.
Negatives
- Coverage ability leaves a lot to be desired, especially when faced off against smaller running backs who can run routes. In zone coverage, can often be misdirected by the quarterback's eyes. Lateral movement in zone is questionable.
- Can be too aggressive for his own good, as he runs himself out of plays by misdiagnosing on occasion. When he gets locked onto by a lineman, often is unable to shed the block and gets washed out of a play.
- Showcases poor tackling form at times, which could be an obstacle given what his professional role will likely be. Tackles high, which is problematic against bigger players.
Hill is an old-school linebacker in every sense of the word, and some of the faults that come with that could haunt him. Hill is a major work in progress in coverage, as he lacks both tremendous lateral mobility and recovery ability if he makes a misstep in zone coverage.
Oddly enough, Hill is far from a vice-grip as far as tackling is concerned. His poor form can lead to him being bowled over against stronger running backs, and the frequency with which that happens could be augmented in the NFL.
Anthony Hill Jr. NFL Player Comparison: Dre Greenlaw
Hill plays with violence and tremendous power when he is able to size up a ball-carrier, and his iffy coverage skills can be overlooked due to the overall collection of physical traits he is working with.
How Anthony Hill Jr. can help the Dallas Cowboys
Hill will immediately be an upgrade over Kenneth Murray and trade acquisition Logan Wilson. While the need for a pass rusher could influence Dallas' decision, Hill seems like a plug-and-play starter that Christian Parker can build his defense around.
Anthony Hill Jr. 2026 NFL Draft Grade: Mid 2nd Round
The coverage problems are indeed problematic, but no team is going to look at someone with his ceiling and nitpick that much. If Hill is not picked in the first 50 selections, that will be a major upset.