Will the Cowboys fill their linebacker need in the draft or elsewhere? A year ago, they entered the draft hoping to land a wide receiver. When it didn't work out, they signed now-star receiver George Pickens instead. A year ago, they entered the draft hoping to land a wide receiver. When it didn't work out, they signed now-star receiver George Pickens instead.Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. celebrates after forcing a turnover on downs as Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer walks to the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas.. They had their sights set on Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan in the first round. They left the draft empty handed, sparking concerns about the idea of Jalen Tolbert, or KaVontae Turpin, or tight end Jake Ferguson, once again, being the Robin to Lamb's Batman.It's a new year, and the Cowboys have a new glaring need, but could they be taking the same approach at inside linebacker?both acknowledged Monday the glaring need they have at inside linebacker. Currently, they have second-year linebackers Shemar James and Justin Barron to go along with DeMarvion Overshown, whose sky-high potential has been hindered by his inconsistent availability.The Cowboys tried to add veteran linebackers in free agency but were unsuccessful. They pursued NaKobe Dean and Quay Walker, former college teammates who both decided to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. They also pursued Devin Lloyd, the crown jewel of the free agent linebacker class, before he signed with the Carolina Panthers. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys gave"fair" and"competitive" offers that included some"big numbers," but they couldn't come to an agreement. "We made a run at some guys in free agency. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. What do you do? You adjust," Schottenheimer said."It's something we're working on 365, 24/7, we got a good plan. We got some firepower now going into the draft; we're not done." But to where do the Cowboys pivot? There are some veteran linebackers available, including former Seahawks and Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.There's also the trade market. The Cowboys aren't looking at potential trades with the Houston Texans for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair or with the Miami Dolphins for Jordyn Brooks, a person familiar with the team's thinking told"I don't think there's any timing on that," Jones said when asked if the Cowboys need to sign a veteran linebacker before the draft."I go back to player acquisition being 365 days a year. We've got good players after the draft, in terms of players that have played in the league. There's always opportunities for trade and we'll continue to look at every avenue."early. The Cowboys are hosting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles for a visit, though they would likely have to trade up for the consensus No. 1 linebacker in the draft. They also met with GeorgiaA rookie could very well be the starting linebacker next to Overshown to begin next season – and the Cowboys are OK with that. "Depending on who the guy is and what their football instincts are and things like that," Schottenheimer said when asked about it."Yeah it’s happened before. Again, he’s going to be surrounded by a lot of really good veteran players at all three levels. And so I think that if you get the right guy, absolutely." And if the right guy isn't there, the Cowboys believe they have a plan for it. They showed it last season when they pivoted from McMillan to Pickens. Or at least that's how it appeared. The timeline would suggest that thinking, too – that Pickens was their final option, not the preferred one."Maybe it was the other way around," Schottenheimer said, suggesting the Cowboys had Pickens on their mind, even if McMillan was available to them. Maybe that's how the Cowboys are viewing their linebacker position, too. Maybe they have veterans in mind even if they don't land a starting-caliber linebacker early in the draft.Show me the money: MoMoney Museum of Money debuts in downtown Dallas