It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys need a linebacker. Jerry Jones might as well hang a banner on the front of AT&T Stadium that says, "Linebackers welcome."
Thankfully, Jones and company are fully aware of that, as they've internally discussed Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair and Dolphins All-Pro Jordyn Brooks. Nothing has materialized yet, however, and the last thing Dallas needs is to enter the draft having to take a linebacker in the first round.
Georgia standout CJ Allen has been a popular projection to Dallas at No. 20 overall. He’s a polarizing prospect (more on that in a jiffy), but undeniably one of the top linebackers in the 2026 class.
Well, he may no longer be available for the Cowboys after Tampa Bay Buccaneers stalwart Lavonte David announced his retirement after 14 seasons. It now makes perfect sense for the Buccaneers to target Allen with the No. 15 overall pick.
The Dallas Cowboys may not get the chance to draft Georgia linebacker CJ Allen
Depending on where you stand on Allen, David's retirement could be a blessing or a curse for the Cowboys, as the former Bulldog is a polarizing prospect.
On one hand, Allen has been the quarterback of Georgia’s defense for the last three years and just turned 21 in March. He’s a patient but effective run defender who consistently puts himself in the right position.
While he doesn’t generate many splash plays, he logged a 91.6 PFF run-defense grade over the last two seasons and missed just five tackles. That consistency is badly needed in the middle of Dallas' defense.
On the other hand, Allen opted out of athletic testing at both the Combine and Georgia’s Pro Day, reportedly due to swelling in his knee. He underwent a procedure for a torn meniscus that he suffered in November. That’s a concern on its own, but even if he were healthy, Allen wasn’t expected to test particularly well in the 40-yard dash or other drills.
At 6'1" and 231 pounds, Allen is undersized and could have difficulty shedding blocks in the NFL. He also doesn't have the speed or explosion to hold up in man coverage. He was an excellent player at Georgia, but it's fair to question if his physical limitations will cap his impact as a pro.
You could pinpoint flaws in every prospect, including this year's big names. Just because Allen has shortcomings doesn't mean he'd be a bad pick for Dallas at No. 20, but a lot of teams may have a Round 2 grade on him because of his athletic profile.
The Buccaneers can save Dallas the headache by taking him at No. 15. From there, the Cowboys could take the best defender available -- depending on what they do at No. 12 -- or trade down and target Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who comes with far fewer question marks than Allen, at the end of Round 1.
Circling back to our earlier point, David's retirement could be a positive or negative development for America's Team, depending on how you view Allen.