One of the biggest needs the Dallas Cowboys must fill during the 2026 NFL Draft is at linebacker, but things may not line up very well that way. Unless they trade up and leapfrog the New York Giants, they have virtually no shot at drafting Ohio State's Sonny Styles, the consensus LB1 in this draft.
Since Arvell Reese could move to edge rusher (and it'll be even harder to trade up for him), they're going to have to contend with the massive drop-off at the linebacker position in the draft. After Styles, we pivot to a bunch of fringe first-round linebackers in Jacob Rodriguez, CJ Allen, and Anthony Hill Jr.
But what if we aren't hedging our bets on the Cowboys' trading out of the first round to find the QB of their defense? While going over some early draft-week rumors, Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson revealed that the Pittsburgh Steelers could trade one of Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig.
"Highsmith’s name, along with fellow edge Nick Herbig, is definitely floating around front offices as the draft approaches, although it seems that any trade would be a one-but-not-both scenario, with Highsmith being the likelier candidate to get moved," Robinson wrote ... As one high-level personnel executive said, "I think they will trade one of them [between Highsmith and Herbig]
The Dallas Cowboys should absolutely swing a trade for Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith
Picking up either of these guys would be a blessing for new DC Christian Parker, but Robinson noted that Highsmith is the likelier of the two to get moved. Entering his age-29 season, he's older than Herbig and under contract for two more years, meaning his contract is definitely more moveable.
The Steelers are dealing with a logjam at outside linebacker that includes Herbig, Highsmith, future Hall of Famer T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Cole Holcomb. Someone's gotta give.
In 2025, the former fifth-round pick logged 9.5 sacks, his most since a 14.5-sack campaign in 2022. Highsmith has also surpassed the six-sack threshold in each of the last five seasons, while his 43 sacks across that time are 13th in the NFL, which is 0.5 more than the great Khalil Mack.
Highsmith's 9.5 sacks also would've led the Cowboys in 2025, as Jadeveon Clowney led the team with 8.5, and he's not expected to return in 2026.
Pass-rushing juice is badly needed. Rashan Gary is a solid two-way player, but he's not prolific at rushing the quarterback. Highsmith isn't an All-Pro, but he'd fill a massive need at a reasonable price; likely a third-round pick.
Jerry and Stephen Jones better get on the phone before it's too late.
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