The Dallas Cowboys failed to sign a linebacker in the first wave of free agency, and it doesn't seem like they intend to wait until the NFL Draft to find their new field general.
Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram revealed the Cowboys have discussed potential trades for Jordyn Brooks of the Miami Dolphins and Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re actively negotiating with either AFC team, but it’s hard not to get excited, as Brooks and Al-Shaair are two of the best inside linebackers in the league.
The Texans' beat doesn't believe Al-Shaair is for sale, but Brooks may be a different story as the Dolphins enter a rebuild under a new regime. They've released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and traded star receiver Jaylen Waddle and veteran defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
That suggests Brooks could be had at the right price. With that in mind, let’s try to project an offer that Miami would have a hard time turning down.
The Dallas Cowboys need to trade for Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks
The Cowboys' 2026 third-round pick (No. 92 overall), acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the Osa Odighizuwa trade, could be flipped to acquire the Dolphins star.
Acquiring the No. 92 pick would give the Dolphins a whopping seven picks inside the top 100, including five in the third round. Brooks admittedly would be a massive loss, but the tank is on in South Florida, and offloading Brooks would help the cause.
There's an argument for keeping a culture-setter like Brooks in the fold, but the same could have been said about Jaylen Waddle, who's a full year younger than the 28-year-old Brooks, before he was traded to the Denver Broncos. Miami now has the worst WR room in football.
New head coach Jeff Hafley probably doesn't want to start from scratch rebuilding the defense, but if the Dolphins ace this draft, they'd suddenly have a very bright future.
Not only that, but Brooks is due for an extension. With Miami set to absorb $99.2 million in dead money over the next two seasons after releasing Tagovailoa, do they really want to add another top-of-the-market contract?
According to OverTheCap, the Dolphins will pay an impossible $179 million in dead money next season and $56.68 million in dead money in 2027.
Stockpiling as much draft ammo as possible to reset their books should be the Dolphins' primary objective as they look to close the gap with the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
From the Cowboys' standpoint, this is a no-brainer.
Brooks isn't elite in coverage, but now many linebackers are better at diagnosing run plays and patrolling sideline to sideline. Nobody they draft with the 92nd pick would be half as good as Brooks is right now.
Adding Brooks to the middle of the defense would allow DeMarvion Overshown to play more freely, which aligns with his strengths.
Send it in and let's party.