PLAYMAKER: Dallas Cowboys Eye DYNAMIC Linebacker | Could Jacob Rodriguez Be The Pick At 20?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys – April 1, 2026: Draft Playmakers at Linebacker & Safety + Arvell Reese Rumors

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Locked On Cowboys Podcast, hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool dive deep into the Cowboys’ evolving linebacker strategy for the 2026 NFL Draft. They analyze the emerging draft stock of playmaker Jacob Rodriguez at pick 20, evaluate the fit of safety Emmanuel McNeil Warren, and discuss the intriguing possibility of a blockbuster move for Arvell Reese. The episode is rich in position analysis, player comparisons, and draft strategy discussions—providing fans with timely insights as the draft nears.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Cowboys & Linebacker at Pick 20: Jacob Rodriguez’s Rise

• Clarence Hill’s Report: The Cowboys reportedly prefer Jacob Rodriguez over more commonly mocked C.J. Allen and Anthony Hill Jr. at linebacker ([01:20] Marcus).
• Jerry Jones & Linebacker Need: Unsuccessful in trade and free agency, the Cowboys are open to drafting a day-one starter.

“The Cowboys like Jacob Rodriguez more than C.J. Allen... and Anthony Hill Jr., the Texas linebacker who has gotten a lot of steam lately in mock drafts.” — Marcus Mosher [01:20]

Why Rodriguez?

• Playmaker Mentality: Unlike Allen (more steady and reliable), Rodriguez creates turnovers—addressing the -9 in takeaways that’s troubled Dallas ([02:51] Marcus).
• Instincts and Ball Skills: “Rodriguez is a more instinctual linebacker... especially in coverage. And I do think that turnovers can be a little bit fluky, but people who consistently get their hands on footballs will continue to do it.” — Landon McCool [03:29]
• Elite Production:
  • 2025: 4 INTs, 7 FF
  • 2024: 3 FF, 1 INT
  • 2023: 2 FF, 1 INT (first year at linebacker)
  • 6 sacks, 25.5 TFL in last two seasons ([04:12] Marcus)
• Heisman Candidate: Rodriguez’s ball production propelled him to Heisman conversation—a rarity for linebackers ([04:45] Landon).

“He was a Heisman candidate, which you don’t see at linebacker very often, certainly not without an insane amount of ball production.” — Landon McCool [04:45]

Draft Strategy Considerations

• Value at 20?: Consensus board ranks him 49-53; Cowboys might prefer to trade down to late 20s ([05:41] Marcus).
• Roster Fit: No glaring weaknesses, does everything well. Older prospect (24 as a rookie), but with late positional switch from QB and elite testing ([07:18] Marcus & [08:53] Landon).

Rodriguez's Athletic Profile

• Elite Testing Numbers: 4.57s 40, 6.93 3-cone, 38.5" vertical, 4.19s short shuttle ([10:12] Marcus).
• Explosive, Agile Play: “If the Cowboys pick him at 20, I’d be excited because he’s a freaking awesome football player…” — Marcus Mosher [07:18]

Memorable Moment:

“Every time you watch the tape, I just giggle at how he teleports to the football… he’s a fun player.” — Marcus Mosher [07:18]

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Safety Sleeper: Emmanuel McNeil Warren (Toledo)

• Upcoming 30 Visit: Cowboys are meeting with versatile safety prospect Emmanuel McNeil Warren, possibly as a late first-round target ([13:03] Marcus).
• Slot Potential: Good size (6’3.5”, 201 lbs, 32” arms), athletic enough for nickel/box roles.
• Comparisons & Usage: Similar to Nick Emanwori (Seahawks) in flexible packages; can cover, blitz, fill run lanes ([15:41] Landon & [15:41] Marcus).
• Production: 11 forced fumbles, 5 INTs over three seasons; most takeaways of any DB since 2022 ([17:05] Marcus).

“He had 11 forced fumbles the last three seasons—that’s the most of any defensive back since 2022.” — Marcus Mosher [17:05]

• Draft Strategy: Would be thrilled with him at 20, ideally as trade-down target in the 27–29 range ([18:16] Marcus & [19:26] Landon).

Notable Quote:

“If the Cowboys take him at 20, what’s going to be your reaction?”
“I’ll be thrilled… absolutely a home run.” — Marcus & Landon [19:26–19:53]

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The Arvell Reese Watch: Could Dallas Make a Splash?

• Sky-High Stock: Widely projected as a top-2 pick, Arvell Reese (Ohio State) is still getting a 30 visit from Dallas ([22:23] Marcus).
• Trade-Up Scenarios: Cowboys would need to package picks 12 and 20, possibly more, should he slip past the first few picks ([24:12] Landon & [24:51] Marcus).
• Unique Skill Set: Reese can play linebacker and serve as a pass-rushing weapon—potentially addressing two needs at once.
• Draft Day Dream: While unlikely, Jerry Jones may pounce if circumstances align.
• Coaching Fit: Reese could raise Dallas’ defensive ceiling, especially using his athleticism for sim pressure/blitz schemes ([28:35] Landon).

“I think the Cowboys are uniquely suited with their defense to raise the floor with him.” — Landon McCool [28:35]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rodriguez:

  “He was a Heisman candidate… that is something you do not see at linebacker very often.” — Landon McCool [04:45] “Every time you watch the tape, I just giggle because of how he teleports to the football…. he’s a fun player.” — Marcus Mosher [07:18]

• On McNeil Warren:

  “He’s a moldable ball of clay and again, he is a playmaker.” — Marcus Mosher [15:41]

• On Arvell Reese:

  “You have two first-round picks, you have the ability to move around a little bit… If it happens, I wouldn’t be shocked. I think that would sound exactly like something Jerry would do.” — Landon McCool [25:39]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jacob Rodriguez Over Other LBs: [01:20]–[05:41]
• Rodriguez's Production and Draft Value: [03:29]–[07:18]
• Rodriguez's Athletic Testing: [10:12]–[11:00]
• McNeil Warren Safety Analysis: [13:03]–[18:51]
• Arvell Reese Trade Up Scenarios: [22:23]–[29:03]

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Summary for Cowboys Draft Fans

This episode provides an in-depth, candid discussion of the Cowboys’ draft board and philosophy as the front office eyes playmaking upgrades at linebacker and safety. Rodriguez emerges as a top target for his rare mix of production and elite athleticism; McNeil Warren is praised as a versatile, big, and productive DB/safety option; and the lingering dream of a blockbuster for Arvell Reese is explored, complete with realistic trade-up scenarios and scheme fit. The hosts’ energy and nuanced takes offer valuable clarity for fans tracking the team’s every move in the lead-up to the draft.

Transcript

[Landon McCool]

It's the Locked On Podcast network your team every day.

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[Marcus Mosher]

The Dallas Cowboys need linebacker help, and a new name just emerged at pick 20. We'll tell you who it is next.

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back. I am your host Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool. And on today's show, we're answering some of your Twitter questions. We're going to get to some key topics, including 30 visits for the Dallas Cowboys. But before we do that, we got news from our guy Clarence Hill over at DLLS Dallas, who was talking about kind of some linebacker options for the Cowboys because this has been in the news for a while now. Jerry Jones talked about it at the owners meeting, how, you know, they tried to make some trades for linebackers. It didn't work out. They tried to sign some linebackers that didn't necessarily work out either, but they're not opposed to drafting one early and letting him start. And Clarence Hill mentioned that the Cowboys at, or let me rephrase this, the Cowboys like Jacob Rodriguez more than C.J. allen, who's been mocked to them very frequently at 20, and Anthony Hill Jr. The Texas linebacker who. Who has gotten a lot of steam lately in mock drafts. First of all, does this surprise you? And then second of all, how do you think Rodriguez would fit in this defense?

[Landon McCool]

I don't. Yes, it does surprise me a little bit because I think. But I think we should expect to be surprised a little bit because we're still kind of learning what this defense wants. Right. And what this defense is going to do.

[Marcus Mosher]

Do you believe it? Can I tell you why I, why I do?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. Okay.

[Marcus Mosher]

Schottenheimer has been interviewed twice at the owner.

[Landon McCool]

Okay. Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

And he's mentioned the -9 in takeaways two different times and how much that has eaten at him. Right. And CG Allen's a really good linebacker. He really is. He's not somebody that takes the football away. He's your down in downout, consistent, reliable linebacker that is very valuable to have. Jacob Rodriguez is the playmaking linebacker. He's the one that's creating force fumbles. He's the one that's making plays in, in coverage. I could see them looking at Rodriguez's production over the last two years and being like, we need this kind of production at linebacker for this to work.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And look, I think that's probably what it is, right? Is that, I mean if you had to kind of delineate the difference between C.J. allen and Anthony Hill Jr. And what you get in Rodriguez, I, I think Alan and, and, and, and Hill both kind of fall into a very similar bucket. Right. I think that Rodriguez is a more instinctual linebacker than those two, at least in the terms of, of, you know, especially in coverage, I would say. And, and I do think that that turnovers can be a little bit fluky. But I also think that people that consistently get their hands on footballs, like, will consistently get their hands on footballs and he's done it not only with interceptions, but forced fumbles.

[Marcus Mosher]

I've got the numbers here for you. So in 2025, he had four interceptions. In seven force fumbles during the 2024 season, three force fumbles in an interception, 2023, when he's just kind of starting to make the transition to linebacker, two force fumbles, interception. He also has six sacks, 25 and a half tackles for a loss over the last two years. So like there's just no other linebacker in this class, including Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, who have this kind of playmaking production that he has. Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

Proven production is something that he carries above a lot of these other linebackers. And I agree, like, I think if you're looking for somebody who consistently finds his way towards the ball and, and is taking the ball away or forcing turnovers, it's hard to argue. Like, I mean again, it's not like this is a, this is a guy that's had like described. It's not like this is a guy that had a bunch of front loaded production or backloaded production. It's, it's dispersed throughout his college career. He's consistently been good about creating turnovers and if anything, what I think you can point to is an increase obviously. I mean he had a borderline Heisman. I mean, he was a Heisman candidate, which is something you do not see at linebacker very often. And, and you certainly don't see it without an insane amount of ball production. Right. So, you know, yeah, like, this is something that it feels like is part of his game. And if you could find a way to tap into that, then, then I certainly could see the appeal for the Cowboys.

[Marcus Mosher]

So I do believe it. Now, do I believe that he's going to be like the pick at 20? Not. Not necessarily. I think it, it depends a lot on obviously what happens at 12 and where they pick. Like, if they pick at 12 and 20, 20 might be a little bit rich for Rodriguez right now. On the consensus board, he's like somewhere between 49 and 53, just depending on who. Whose board you're looking at. I like him better than that. I think you like him better than that, but my gut tells me he is a guy that they would consider. Like, if they move back from 20 to 29, maybe he becomes a more realistic option.

[Landon McCool]

I'll say this too. Like, the consensus board can be tough sometimes, right? Because it is about building consensus and obviously sometimes fit plays into it. I, I think the consensus board is excellent for the value, but the truth of the matter is, is that if all it takes is one team to really like him for you to miss the opportunity. So if the Cowboys feel like, you know, they can't wait, I do. I agree with you. If they're able to engineer a trade back, I think that's probably ideal for them. But let's say they can't and they're looking at 20 and they've got a guy that they like there, but maybe they don't love and they're looking at how far 94 is away from 90, whatever it is, 92 that the pick they have, maybe they're looking at how long a weight that is. Maybe they feel like they can't wait, especially with the need being where it is. And if all things are being equal, maybe you get the guy that, that, that you know, is you have rated at a good level, but maybe the value league wide doesn't quite match where you. You think it is.

[Marcus Mosher]

A couple of things on him before we move on. Number one, like, I, I just don't see a player that has any glaring weaknesses. Like, I. He's not the most sticky in man coverage. I think if you wanted a guy like that, Kyle Lewis is a much better player like that. Although you watch Jacob Rodriguez in the Senior bowl, he was awesome. I Don't think he's like dominant at taking on blocks like Sonny Styles. I think he does a better job of slipping blocks, but I think like the play recognition, the, the ability to avoid blocks. He can anchor in the run game against these, you know, bigger offensive linemen. He makes plays, he find football. I have concerns about him landed as like, hey, it's, you're taking an off ball linebacker who's going to be 24 during his rookie season. Should you draft one of those guys, you know, in the 20s, we could debate that. But if the Cowboys picked him at 20, I would be excited because he's a freaking awesome football player. I mean, he's, and this is the. I just don't feel this way about C.J. allen. I could be totally wrong, but this is a guy that is just so, so dynamic. And every time he watched the tape, like, I just giggle because how he like teleports to the football. Like I'm, I'm stumbling over my words because I get that excited watching Jacob Rodriguez. He's a fun player.

[Landon McCool]

I think the thing that's really interesting to me about Rodriguez is that, and I think you, this is kind of what you're hinting at a little bit is that, you know, the two knocks on the guy, the only two knocks on the guy who again was a Heisman candidate, like at linebacker is that he was older, which, you know, he is an older prospect, but there's a reason for it.

[Marcus Mosher]

Because he's a former quarterback.

[Landon McCool]

Of course. Yes. And, and that's, that has, you know, its own kind of way to point you to, to upside. Right. Where that you wouldn't Normally get at 24. Right. I think the other thing is that, that people pointed to was the lack of athleticism. And I don't think that we, as a community, as a draft community took the time to ingest the fact that not only did Rodriguez test better than fine as, as a, as a linebacker, he was tested as an elite athlete. And I think that really kind of when you combine that with the talent, I mean, with the production, you kind of have to start asking yourself the inverse of the question that you normally ask is why isn't this guy a first round linebacker? Right. Because if you have elite production and elite athleticism, what is the missing element here? So I, I do think that

[Marcus Mosher]

if this was at a different position, I think you're still talking about like an easy top 20 player, but it's a, it's linebacker, and that's just a position that does not carry A ton of value.

[Landon McCool]

And so my point being like if you were okay with drafting C.J. allen or one of these other guys at 20, then you probably need to be okay with taking Jacob Rodriguez, who has one of the few players in this class that has elite production and elite athleticism.

[Marcus Mosher]

And I saw a lot of comps to like Josie Jewell coming into the combine and Jewel was actually a pretty good linebacker for Denver, went in the fourth round. But Josie Jewell ran a 4, 8. This is not a 4, 8 athlete. This is somebody that ran, I believe was a 4, 5, 8, I believe was the, the official number 4, 5, 7. So even faster four five, seven, four zero, a six, nine, three cone, a 38 and a half inch vertical. Like he not only you mentioned, not only is he a good athlete, he's an explosive athlete. He's got floss, he's got warts. But at the end of the day, if the Cowboys draft him at 20, I'm going to feel really good about their linebacker situation going into week one.

[Landon McCool]

That 4, 5, 8, whatever, whatever that 69, 3 cone, go circle and underline that number because that's really, really telling him his athleticism.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, he also had a 419 short shuttle, which is incredible for a linebacker. So explosive, can move, can change direction really well. We are fans of Jacob Rodriguez. We'll see if the Cowboys are when we get to the draft. Let's talk about another visit that the Cowboys had this week, and that is Emmanuel McNeil Warren, a safety prospect from Toledo. Could he be a sleeper pick at 20? We'll get to that next. This episode is brought to you by Robin Hood. What if sports were traded like markets? Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robinhood Prediction Markets. It's not you against the house, it's you participating in a live market. You can buy or sell your positions live all game long. Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter. Robinhood Prediction Markets changes the game. It's people moving the action so when the momentum shifts, you can move with it. I've always known the game but never had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge. And now I can actually take part live. In a market that is powered by people, you're no longer just a spectator. Play by play, you decide trade every play with Robinhood now available across the U.S. download the Robinhood app now to begin Futures and cleared swap trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives llc, a registered future commission merchant and swap firm.

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast. Don't forget to check out the Everyday Club for ad free episodes and access to a group chat with Landon and I and other listeners of the show. Tap the link in the show notes or go to locked on cowboys.supercast.com all right, Landon, people always get on me for being too negative that I don't like any prospects. That's not true, I promise. We just got done talking about one prospect that I absolutely love and Jacob Rodriguez and we're going to do it again with Emmanuel McNeil Warren, a safety from Toledo who the Cowboys have a 30 visit with. It sounds like in the next upcoming days it might have already happened by the time that you're listening to this podcast. Now. Warren is one of the more fascinating players in this draft. First of all, what do you think of the player and how do you think he would fit Christian Parker's defense?

[Landon McCool]

Well, that's where I think it's, you know, it's interesting. Right. You know, and we've started to learn a little bit more about the positions as we've been doing some of these prospects. But we did Emmanuel McNeil Warren in the same cluster, I think with Caleb Downs and, and Dylan Theta. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So and I think we kind of were talking about all three players both as potential safeties but also potentially as playing the slot. And I thought that, I thought that of the three, to me, McNeil Warren seemed like the least, least not capable because I think they're all, they would all three be great at the slot that I guess maybe that gives away some of my answer. But I thought of the three that he would be the least ready to go right away. Right. Even though he has kind of the, some of the, more of the size that we talked about. And, and I do think that there are elements of it where if you could convince yourself to kind of get him to get a little bit better technique in taking on blocks specifically, which is not something that a lot of these guys, you know, have a great ability at, because that's why they're safeties. I think that you could really, really unlock him in a way that, you know, like a lot of teams want to use these modern nickels, right. As a, a guy that can be a affiliate, basically a conduit line linebacker on the edge. Right. Who can fill in like a linebacker, cover like a safety, blitz. I mean, cover like a corner and blitz like a safety, like they said. So I do think that, I do think that if he can kind of learn a little bit more about, you know, taking on blocks instead of just being crazy and throwing his body at blocks a little bit more and it's a little bit more of a top down type of coverage situation. I do think he could be a really good fit at what the Cowboys are looking for in the slot player.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, I mean, I'm a big fan. I, I've been a big fan of him for a while and then he goes to the NFL combine and I honestly think he was listed at like six one and a half, right. He comes in at six three and a half, 201 pounds with 70, a 78 inch wingspan. He's got over 32 inch arms. Like he is just a big long safety who runs a 4, 5 2. That's not blazing for a defensive back, but that's more than fine for a slot defender. And you hear Nick, you hear Brian Schottenheimer talk about Nick Eamon warrior for the Seahawks and how, you know, they, you know what they did and how that he thought that was really cool that you could use him on first and second down as a slot guy. And then he goes to. Back to being a nickel linebacker or a box safety on third down and they bring in Devin Witherspoon. And to me like that just, it just clicks like that's, that's Emmanuel McNeil Warren. That's a guy that you play with Jalen Thompson, you play with Malik Hooker and big nickel on first and second down and then on third down, maybe you slide in Duron Bland of the slot. Maybe it's Kobe Durant, whoever it is. And you know, and then you figure out the safety rotation. He's just, he's a moldable ball of clay and again, he is a playmaker. He had 11 forced fumbles.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

Over the last three seasons. That's the most of any defensive back since 2022. He also had five career interceptions. So 16 takeaways. We know that Brian Schottenheimer wants playmakers. That's why I think McNeil Warren fits

[Landon McCool]

so, well, yeah, and he did that on less than 2,000 snaps, which is pretty impressive. Like, that's a lot of forced fumbles. So, yeah, I mean, again, I think that the Cowboys are in a really great spot, that if they want to find their nickel player, they've got really great options. And Emmanuel McNeil Warren being a fallback, and I'm using air quotes there, option at slot, I think is incredible because you've, that just shows you like the kind of players that you have that really could fit your system. So. Yeah, and again, I think I agree with you just that, that having that kind of size down there and that athleticism, maybe, you know, maybe it's a little bit different than what he's been doing a little in college, but he's shown the ability and he has such great instincts that I don't, I think he would take to it like a fish to water. And it's not like he doesn't do some slot stuff already. He operates in the box as a box safety, and he's very comfortable doing that. So it would not be a difficult transition for him.

[Marcus Mosher]

And he's another one of these guys. Like, if the Cowboys took him at 20, I would be more than happy. Like, I, I have him ranked there, but it feels, he feels like another candidate. Like, hey, if you drop down six or seven spots and you get him at 27 and you pick up the 80th pick on the draft, we're all dancing like it's a great, great selection. I still feel like that's the most likely outcome is that they pick somebody at 12, they move down from 20, maybe 6, 7, 8 spots, and then they pick whoever's available between Rodriguez, CJ Allen, Emmanuel, McNeil, Warren. Because I just think they're going to have plenty of options in that range.

[Landon McCool]

The Cowboys having very similar needs to, you know, or at least requirements at their slot position to the safeties that are in this class is such a boon for them because there's going to be a potential for them to get a really good player that maybe other teams were concerned about positional value because they're technically a safety on their board. But, but for the Cowboys, that nickel position is so important that taking them at 12 is not as nearly as much of a problem as someone that, you know, that, you know, in a traditional safety situation, you may not feel as comfortable because of positional value.

[Marcus Mosher]

If the Cowboys take him at 20, what's going to be your reaction?

[Landon McCool]

I'll be thrilled. I mean, again, I, I, I love him. And I, I think there, it's going to depend on who else is there but honestly it does.

[Marcus Mosher]

It's general. Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

When you get there like at 20, if there are three or four other guys that becomes the Cowboys preference. And I'm not going to pretend like I've got more information necessarily. I would be interested to see why he would be taking over my personal preference. But as, as far as value goes, him at 20. Absolutely. A home run.

[Marcus Mosher]

I'm with it. And that I think there's also a knock on him like he's playing at Toledo. Well, we just saw when Yan Mitchell get drafted by the Eagles in the 20s, who went to Christian Parker, who developed them? Well, I think those Toledo defensive backs are just coached very well. You can actually see those guys playing together and it wouldn't surprise me if Emmanuel McNeil Warren has been somebody that's been on Christian Parker's radar for a while. After watching Quinion Mitchell back in, that would have been the 2023 season and Emmanuel McNeil Warren was awesome during that year. So I'm, I'm not penciling him in in at 20, but he is on the very short list of guys that I could see the Cowboys getting at 20 if they don't draft Caleb Downs or Dylan Theman. And that's one of the things I keep coming back to when I do these mock drafts is if the Cowboys believe that Thieman and Emw are close in prospects. Do you take them in at 12? Do you try to go to a different position? Do you try to trade up? I, I, I honestly don't know. But the fact that there's three first round safeties makes me feel pretty good that at least one of them will be available when they're on the clock at 12 and when they're on the

[Landon McCool]

clock at 20 you've got options about that and that's great. Honestly.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah. All right, let's talk about Arvell Reese, who might be the number two pick in this draft but still is having a 30 visit with the Cowboys. We'll tell you why next

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back to the Lockdown Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. Let's talk about Arvel Reese because a lot of people assume that he's going to be the second overall pick in this year's draft and yet the Cowboys have a 30 visit with him coming up. It's pretty clear that they have some interest here. He's also working out with BT Jordan who the Cowboys have hired as a pass rush specialist. Is there any chance that Arvl Reese is in Dallas or is this just all hopium from Cowboys fans in the Cowboys front office?

[Landon McCool]

Oh, yeah, I mean I think there's certainly a chance. Like not, not a good chance, but like a chance. Yeah, absolutely. I mean look, we get, we get especially in a year where we just have very little certainty at the top because of, you know, the fact that there's only one quarterback who we feel is kind of even close to a blue chip play player. There's not a ton of elite offensive linemen or really pass rushers. I mean we have some very, very, very good red ship pass rushers and, and we're gonna figure all that out at the top. I think Arvel Reese is a blue chip player because he's, you know, he has a capability to be an elite pass rusher and I think he's obviously, I think he's a linebacker. I think you could have him play off ball linebacker while you know, also maybe rushing with third downs. But I also could, you know, look stupid teams do stupid stuff all the time, man. Like maybe they, they convince themselves hey, I need a full time pass rusher instead of what I'm seeing from Marvel Reese who I feel like is a linebacker, who's a part time pass rusher or whatever. Maybe I go get David Bailey instead and then the, you know, team of threes never thought that Arvel Reese would ever fall to them and, and they have their heart set on, you know, I think who's it the Cardinals at Three.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah. Francis Mominoa, the offensive tackle for Miami.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, exactly. So they take him at three and then suddenly you've got Arville re still on the table at 4, baby. Jerry picks up the phone at that point, right. And. And sees. Sees what? The fourth, fourth. The fourth team wants to kind of come down and trade with the Cowboys. Is it possible? Yes, I think it is possible. It's not very likely but you have to at least prepare for this come of thing.

[Marcus Mosher]

I also think the reason that you bring him in is to see if he's somebody that is worth spending the 12th, 12th and 20th picks on. Right. Because yeah, I could see a scenario that you just laid out that he gets past the Titans at four. Maybe they take Reuben Bane.

[Landon McCool]

Right.

[Marcus Mosher]

Or maybe they take Jeremiah Love and He's available at 5 to the Giants. Well the Giants aren't going to take him at 5 probably because they already have a bunch of pass rushers. Maybe they do and they just play him at off ball linebacker. And now they're asking 12 and 20 from Dallas and Cowboys have to decide like hey, is this, is this a generational linebacker prospect that we think can kind of kill two birds with one stone? Like he could fill our linebacker need and he can provide pass rush or is he a guy that we really like but you know we would trade up for him at 8 or 9, not you know, 3, 4 or 5. That's why you bring him into these visits so you can kind of get a read on what's the personality like how would we use them? Let's have him talk to the coaches, let's have a meet some players. I really think that, I think you're just covering your basis here.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean I think you know, if you have the opportunity to go get a guy like this, is it worth doing? Right. And I think you don't really have an informed decision until you get a chance to really sit down with the guy. And you know, they didn't decide to go to the Ohio State pro day so this is their opportunity to kind of get to know those guys a little bit more specifically. So yeah, I think it's, you know, you have two first round picks, you have the ability to move around a little bit. Obviously I don't think the Cowboys are necessarily targeting the second pick to go up and get Reese, but if he were to fall due to you know, certain teams preferences which you know again can happen, would I be shocked if the Cowboys, you know, made a big trade on draft day to go get the one of the. Probably the top player on their board, I would assume if they went and got him. Yeah, I wouldn't. No, I wouldn't be shocked. I would. I think that would sound exactly like something Jerry would do.

[Marcus Mosher]

Let me ask you this. If the price Tag is only 12 and 20, nothing more, nothing less, would you do it to get Arvel Reese?

[Landon McCool]

I think, I think I probably would. Because I think you could convince yourself that it's the only blue chip player that you or, or maybe don't. There's probably three blue chip defenders, right? All the Ohio State guys. I would think Bailey is probably border. Right. But it's just like Bane, but they're not quite there. They each have a little bit of an issue. I think if you're convincing yourself that you need uber talent at the top to kind of make this thing work, maybe this is the way you get it. I think specifically by going to get styles, you tell yourself, hey, we're solving the linebacker issue and we're solving the

[Marcus Mosher]

pass rush juice, not styles. Yes.

[Landon McCool]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Reese. I'm sorry. Yeah, Reese, you solve the linebacker issue and you solve the pass rush juice problem. Right? Because ultimately what you need is, is the kind of a guy, a guy that like, kind of stirs the drink. And I think on third down situations where, you know, it's a pass, you could get Reese to the part where he's at least a disruptor because he's so explosive and strong. So, yeah, I think it's something that I probably would do.

[Marcus Mosher]

It's bold. Now he, I, I like him a lot, so I probably would do it. However, you might need to start dipping into some of your 20, 27 and 2028 picks to kind of fill in the rest of the defense because now you don't have another pick until 92. Now, you did address at least one big need, maybe one and a half big needs. You probably still need to add another defensive back in there. Maybe you do that at 92. Maybe you can, you know, cobble together some of those picks and move up and maybe you're able to go get, you know, a safety in that, you know, 60 to 70 range. But I do think Arvel Reese, I think he's going to be a much better NFL player than he was a college player because he's 20 years old, he's a freak athlete. He can stop the run, he's physical. Sign me up.

[Landon McCool]

I also think the Cowboys are uniquely suited with their defense to raise the floor with him. Right. Because I think that they can use him as a linebacker and specifically as a blitzer because they're gonna, you know, you have a lot of sim pressure stuff. So even if you don't feel like he's quite ready as a pass rusher year one, you'll still get value from him by using him as a blitzer as a linebacker. So I do think that that kind of helps create a stable floor for the Cowboys that maybe other teams don't have access to.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, that is it for today's show. We want to thank you for making Laton Cowboys your first listen every single day. Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast. You get all of the latest episodes and if you never miss an episode, the everyday club is built for you. Get locked on Cowboys ad free members only, discord access and so much more. Head over to locked on cowboys.supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24.7national NBA YouTube channel and on audio, make your second listen the locked on NFL Draft podcast. Follow lanen on Twitter acruolbcb. I'm arcusmosier and we'll see you right back here tomorrow.

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