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<\/figure>\nThe Cowboys made serious runs at top middle linebackers last month. They bid on Devin Lloyd, the premier free-agent middle linebacker, only to see the Panthers lock him up with a hefty three-year, $45 million contract that Dallas chose not to match. They also made strong offers for Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, but the pair elected to stay together and signed with the Raiders. Trade discussions heated up as well, including talks for Pittsburgh\u2019s Patrick Queen. Beat writer Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Cowboys had engaged in trade conversations for both Jordyn Brooks of the Dolphins and Azeez Al-Shaair of the Texans. A subsequent report in the Miami Herald confirmed that Dallas did, in fact, call Miami about a deal for Brooks.<\/p>\n
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While the Cowboys are still expected to address the position in the upcoming draft\u2014whether by trading up for a top prospect like Sonny Styles or targeting players such as CJ Allen (Georgia), Anthony Hill (Texas), or Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) at No. 20 or later\u2014they will still need a proven veteran presence. That is where Brooks fits perfectly.<\/p>\n
Dave Helman of The Athletic laid out the clearest and most compelling blueprint on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas: the Cowboys should open their draft-week moves by sending their third-round pick (No. 92, acquired from the 49ers in the Osa Odighizuwa trade) to Miami for Brooks. Helman didn\u2019t mince words:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re sending 92 to Miami for Jordyn Brooks. That\u2019s No. 1. Like, let\u2019s just get that out of the way. If we gotta throw in some change, that\u2019s fine. Let\u2019s go get a ready-made badass. Jordyn Brooks was so good for Miami last year. They\u2019re obviously resetting things, they don\u2019t need him right now. Send 92 over there, throw in some extra change, get him locked up on an extension, now we\u2019re cooking with gas.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The numbers back the hype. Last season Pro Football Focus rated Brooks the third-best run-stopping linebacker in the entire NFL. He led the league with 99 solo tackles and 183 combined tackles. Durability is not a concern\u2014he appeared in 83 games over the last three seasons. At a time when the Cowboys are focused on building a defensive front capable of shutting down the run, Brooks is the exact type of physical, instinctive player who can anchor the second level.<\/p>\n
There is one potential caveat: Brooks is more of a roaming, sideline-to-sideline playmaker than the traditional \u201cgreen-dot\u201d communicator many teams prefer at middle linebacker. Yet his run-stopping dominance and tackle production more than compensate, especially in a scheme that values aggression and athleticism up front.<\/p>\n
The timing could hardly be better for Dallas. The Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, aggressively accumulating draft capital and willing to move veterans. Brooks is entering the final year of his contract with a $10.8 million cap hit in 2026. Should Dallas secure an extension as part of the deal, they could restructure his number favorably for the current season while locking up a cornerstone defender long-term.<\/p>\n
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