Top free agent LBs left for Cowboys to sign
The Cowboys are in dire need of help at the linebacker spot. With Marist Liufau moving to outside linebacker (on paper at least), DeMarvion Overshown (five starts last season) and Shemar James (six starts) are the only returning linebackers from last year. Banking on the draft to get a starting inside linebacker is a pretty risky strategy, so the Cowboys need to shore up the position in free agency.
The Cowboys are well aware of this, and reportedly were “in the mix” for Quay Walker (LV: 3 years, $40.5 million), had “legitimate interest” in Nakobe Dean (LV: 3 years, $36 million), and “were talking to” Devin Lloyd (CAR: 3 years, $45 million), but missed out on all three.
Eight days into free agency, 10 of the top 15 top linebackers from the PFF free agent rankings are already under contract. Extend that list to the top 25, and 11 players remain unsigned. But is there anybody left who fits the Cowboys’ needs? Have a look:
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table td, body .sbnu-legacy-content-table th, body .sbnu-legacy-content-table { border: 1px solid #000 !important; border-collapse: collapse !important; }| Top-Rated 2026 Free Agent Linebackers | |||||
| Rank | Player | Current Age | 2025 Team | 2026 Team | Contract Status |
| 4 | Devin Lloyd | 27.4 | Jacksonville | Carolina | 3 years, $15 million |
| 9 | Devin Bush | 27.6 | Cleveland | Chicago | 3 years, $10 million |
| 12 | Nakobe Dean | 25.2 | Philadelphia | Las Vegas | 3 years, $12 million |
| 13 | Leo Chenal | 25.3 | Kansas City | Washington | 3 years, $8.25 million |
| 53 | Bobby Wagner | 35.7 | Washington | UFA | |
| 55 | Demario Davis | 37.1 | New Orleans | NY Jets | 2 years, $11 million |
| 59 | Alex Anzalone | 31.4 | Detroit | Tampa Bay | 2 years, $8.5 million |
| 91 | Kaden Elliss | 30.6 | Atlanta | New Orleans | 3 years, $11 million |
| 97 | Germaine Pratt | 29.8 | Indianapolis | UFA | |
| 99 | Justin Strnad | 29.5 | Denver | Denver | 3 years, $6 million |
| 111 | Tremaine Edmunds | 27.8 | Chicago | NY Giants | 3 years, $12 million |
| 112 | Willie Gay | 28.0 | Miami | UFA | |
| 137 | Eric Kendricks | 34.0 | San Francisco | UFA | |
| 141 | Dennis Gardeck | 31.6 | Jacksonville | Jacksonville | 2 years, $3.25 million |
| 149 | Matt Milano | 30.9 | Buffalo | UFA | |
| 154 | Quincy Williams | 29.5 | NY Jets | Cleveland | 2 years, $6.5 million |
| 158 | Bobby Okereke | 29.6 | NY Giants | UFA | |
| 159 | Quay Walker | 25.8 | Green Bay | Las Vegas | 3 years, $13.5 million |
| 173 | Alex Singleton | 32.2 | Denver | Denver | 2 years, $7.5 million |
| 181 | Logan Wilson | 29.6 | Dallas | UFA | |
| 184 | Elandon Roberts | 31.8 | Las Vegas | UFA | |
| 196 | Shaq Thompson | 31.9 | Buffalo | UFA | |
| 203 | Lavonte David | 36.1 | Tampa Bay | UFA | |
| 223 | Cole Holcomb | 29.6 | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | 2 years, $2.5 million |
| 242 | Jamal Adams | 30.4 | Las Vegas | UFA | |
The Cowboys didn’t want to spend big on a linebacker, so they are going to have to choose from what is left after a week of free agency.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Here’s an overview of the top six remaining linebackers, at least per the PFF Ranking.
# 1: USA Today on what Bobby Wagner brings to the table:
Wagner is in the latter stage of his career but remains a capable starter in the middle of any defense. Wagner will enter the 2026 season at 36 years old, and his pass coverage ability has dropped off in recent years, but he’s still a tackling machine. In 2025, he was the only linebacker to exceed 90.0 grade in run defense (90.3), pass rushing (92.4), and tackling (90.5), per PFF. The future Hall of Famer would be a valuable addition to any locker room.
#2: Our own Dan Rogers gives us the lowdown on Germaine Pratt:
A seasoned veteran, Pratt has been putting up impressive numbers while flying under the national radar. Over the last two seasons, he has evolved into a tackling machine, surpassing 100 tackles in each of the last four seasons. He played a pivotal role in keeping his previous teams competitive, showing a knack for being in the right place at the right time during high-stakes moments. His recent stretch of play suggests he is not just a placeholder but a legitimate contributor for a defense in need of a pulse.
Pratt’s greatest strengths lie in his diagnostic speed. His background as a former safety gives him a natural feel for passing lanes. He possesses the size to take on climbing guards and the length to disrupt throwing windows, making him a versatile chess piece. His ability to punch the ball loose and track down ball carriers from sideline to sideline is exactly what the Cowboys need.
#3: PFF warns that Willie Gay, while (relatively) young, hasn’t seen a lot of action over the last two years
Gay played just 132 snaps for the Dolphins, although there were some encouraging signs — like missing zero tackles and allowing only 75 yards in coverage. The former Chief has played a total of 409 snaps over the last two years but will be 28 when the 2026 season begins.
#4: Eric Kendricks.
Like Logan Wilson a little further down the list (#181 overall), Kendricks (#137 overall) is unlikely to return to Dallas for a second stint. Same is true for Kenneth Murray, who for some reason is ranked 396th overall on PFF’s list.
#5: CBSSports is sending Matt Milano to Tampa Bay, but could he be an option in Dallas as well?
Milano was named a first-team All-Pro in 2022 after recording 99 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 11 passes defended and three interceptions in 15 games. Injuries began to slow him down after that magical campaign, ailments which included a broken leg and torn biceps, but there’s still some gas left in the tank for Milano. He recorded 67 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 12 games played last year, and is a veteran leader who wouldn’t cost too much.
#6: CBSSports likes Bobby Okereke for the Cowboys:
Bobby Okereke could stay in the NFC East, as the Dallas Cowboys have a need at inside linebacker. Okereke recorded 143 tackles, one sack, six passes defended and two interceptions last season for the New York Giants, and has crossed 90 tackles in each of the last five years.
Okereke found his way to New York in 2023 after four seasons played with the Colts, and started off his Giants career with a bang. That season, he and teammate Xavier McKinney were the only two players in the NFL to play every defensive snap, as he recorded 149 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. The former team captain was a consistent contributor that new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker got a good look at twice a year. Let’s send him to Dallas.
Slim pickings.
But if you had Stephen Jones on speed dial, outside of cursing him out, which player would you tell him to go after?
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