One of the biggest needs the Dallas Cowboys have left to fill is at linebacker, and Jerry Jones might not have to look very far to find one in the 2026 NFL Draft. Two of the best linebackers in this draft are from the Lone Star State, and Texas Longhorns' star Anthony Hill Jr. should be the apple of his eye.
Drafting Hill in the first round might be a little rich, but it's clear that Dallas has interest. They took the 21-year-old out to a private dinner before the Texas Pro Day, and after watching him light up the SEC from their backyard across the last couple of seasons, it's hard not to take notice of his production.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleThe Cowboys already have one Texas linebacker that's blossoming into a star in DeMarvion Overshown, so why not make it two? While addressing the media at Texas' Pro Day, Hill was asked about the opportunity to join forces with Overshown in the NFL, and his response did not disappoint.
"There can't be two Agent 0's, so I know I'd have to get a new number. But it would be a blessing to play with him. I've been watching him my whole life. It'd be really cool playing with him, just learning from him, and (I've been) kind of modeling my game after him while I've been at Texas."
The Dallas Cowboys could pair up DeMarvion Overshown with Anthony Hill Jr.
Again, Hill probably isn't in consideration with picks 12 or 20, but if they trade down and pick up an extra Day 2 pick, he'd likely be on their radar. With Sonny Styles expected to be off the board and C.J. Allen dealing with some medical issues, he could be the best LB available for Dallas.
The former five-star recruit lived up to the lofty expectations from the moment he stepped on campus in Austin. He was named a Freshman All-American and the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year despite making just six starts in his freshman year. But as more time passed, the better Hill got.
As a sophomore in 2024, Hill logged 113 combined tackles, a staggering 16.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. Before he the season, he was seen as a consensus top 10 pick and one of the best defenders set to enter the the 2026 NFL Draft, but an injury-riddled junior season hurt his draft stock.
Even still, Hill was an All-American in each of the last two seasons and was the heart of an elite Longhorns' defense.
At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, he projects as a rangy, high-IQ linebacker who is a strong tackler with the athleticism and versatility to make plays all over the football field for Christian Parker's defense--and with his toughness, he could wear the green dot for this defense.
With Jerry Jones, you never know what to expect on draft day, so because of the Cowboys' lack of a first-round pick, maybe he gets his wish and Hill hears his name get called by Dallas in Round 1.