It would be a surprise at this juncture if the Dallas Cowboys made another signing before the NFL Draft. Anything is possible, and there are plenty of household names left on the market, but recent history suggests Dallas will revisit free agency after they finalize their 2025 draft class.
With just three weeks left until draft night, experts are torn about what the Cowboys will do with the No. 12 overall pick. Some mocks have them taking Texas receiver Matthew Golden, while others have Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan falling to the 12th pick.
Wide receiver should probably be the pick, but it wouldn't surprise if the front office took a cornerback or an edge rusher depending on who's available. Those are three of the "Money Five" positions and they're all needs for this roster.
Let's say the Cowboys draft one of Golden or McMillan in round one. Who should be the target at No. 44 overall in the second? Many fans will say running back. It'd be hard to push back on that, but what if we told you one of the draft's very best players could be available?
Cowboys could steal Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell in second round of NFL Draft
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. is hearing that Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell could fall to the second round due to his medicals.
A semifinalist for the Butkas Award last season, which is given to the nation's best linebacker, Campbell underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after the NFL Combine. While Campbell could miss all of OTAs and part of training camp, there is nothing to suggest (yet) that he's in danger of missing the start of the NFL season.
Drafting an "injured" player comes with risk, but the Cowboys are no strangers to that. Jaylon Smith is the most extreme example in that regard. 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker is another, though his injury wasn't nearly as serious as Campbell's.
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Nevertheless, Dallas should run to the podium if Campbell falls to No. 44.
Campbell led the Crimson Tide in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles in his final season in Tuscaloosa. He'd be a seamless fit as the Mike linebacker in Matt Eberflus' 4-3 scheme, though he has the versatility to double as an edge rusher.
The Cowboys will probably want him to play LB, but his explosiveness and downhill speed will allow him to moonlight as a pass-rusher with Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler and Sam Williams.
A trio of Campbell, DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau would give Dallas one of the most athletic and dynamic linebacker rooms in the sport. That is exactly where the league is headed, as the value of off-ball linebackers has skyrocketed in recent years.
It's anyone's guess if Campbell actually slides to round two, but Kiper is as plugged in as any draft analyst. Grabbing the former Alabama star at No. 44 would be the steal of the draft. Period.
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