Locked On Cowboys Podcast

Episode: STACKED: Cowboys’ Linebacker Options EXPLODE After Senior Bowl | Favorite Day 2 Targets!
Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the fallout from the 2026 Senior Bowl, with a special focus on linebacker prospects whose strong showings in Mobile have reshaped how the Dallas Cowboys and NFL teams might approach the draft. Marcus and Landon break down standouts at the position, debate draft philosophies given this class's depth, and highlight a handful of other players—at running back, offensive line, and defensive back—who altered their evaluations. The show closes out with analysis of the Cowboys' recent secondary coaching hire and its potential impact on the defense.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senior Bowl Recap & The Loaded Linebacker Class

Depth and Talent at Linebacker (01:42–04:22)

• Landon McCool: "This linebacker class has already been really good...but coming out of the Senior Bowl, I’m even more impressed by this class."
• Both hosts agree: Sonny Styles, C.J. Allen, and Arvell Reese headline a group with exceptional talent not just at the top, but with real depth through the middle rounds.
• The Senior Bowl further exposed "second and third tier" linebackers who look pro-ready.

Value of Drafting LB vs. Other Positions (03:31–04:22)

• Marcus Mosher: "I wonder how that’s going to impact how they draft at picks 12 and 20...because there’s so much depth at the position. Are you better off using those first-round picks at corner, offensive tackle, edge rusher, whatever, and using the rest of the draft to fill it in?”

2. Linebacker Standouts from Mobile

Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (03:31–06:26)

• Finished fifth in Heisman voting—a rare feat for a linebacker.
• Mosher: "There were some concerns about what he might look like in coverage...I couldn’t have been more impressed."
• Rodriguez handled running backs at the line, exceeding expectations in coverage drills.
• McCool: “He was always the first guy moving, always the quickest to react. That’s how he gets his edge.”

Bryce Boucher, Oregon (07:00–08:30)

• Stood out as a physical, bigger linebacker.
• Excelled in coverage during one-on-one drills despite perception as more of a downhill thumper.
• McCool: "Any time you can have some success in a pass coverage drill as a linebacker...you notice it."

Kyle Lewis, Pittsburgh (08:30–10:48)

• Undersized (5’11”, 224 lbs), but a “move-and-cover” type with exceptional coverage ability.
• Recorded two interceptions during one-on-one RB/coverage drills—“the best coverage linebacker drill I’ve ever seen from any linebacker ever in Mobile” (Mosher, 08:30).
• McCool: "A smart defensive coordinator will find a role for a guy like this...he can do a lot of different things in the right defense."
• Notable Quote:

  “He’s a football player...that’s the best way you could describe any prospect—he just makes plays.” (Mosher, 10:54)

3. Draft Strategy Implications (06:26–07:00)

• The extraordinary depth at linebacker may push the Cowboys (currently without a Day 2 pick) to target a trade into the second round, aiming to "fill the coffers" at linebacker with value picks rather than early investments.

4. Other Senior Bowl Standouts (14:23–19:54)

Disappointment: Colton Hood (CB)

• McCool: "Colton Hood really kind of had a very up and down week...wasn’t necessarily as impressive as I wanted him." (14:35)
• Both hosts agree he didn't live up to first-round hype in Mobile.

Mike Washington (RB, Arkansas) & Jaydn Ott (RB, Oklahoma)

• Washington: Showed unique athleticism for his size (220+ lbs, 21 MPH top speed).
• Ott: Showed traits not previously seen on tape, improving his draft stock.
• McCool: "I got a lot of running back tape to go back and watch."

Offensive Tackle: Max Ian Anchor, Arizona State (17:20–18:35)

• Raw but oozing with traits (6’8”, 330 lbs). Compared to Tyron Smith’s draft scenario for Dallas:
  "There's just not very many guys that are that big, that powerful and that athletic and usually they go way higher than anybody thinks." (Marcus, 18:29)

Other Names for Re-evaluation (18:35–19:54)

• Bud Clark (S, TCU): Needs a deeper look after an impressive week.
• Gabe Akis (EDGE, Illinois): Dominant in one-on-ones; potential OLB/pass-rush fit for Dallas.
• Grayson Halton (DT, Oklahoma): Penetrator with potential if Cowboys adjust defensive scheme.

5. Scheme Versatility & Defensive Line Predictions (19:50–21:33)

• With Christian Parker as DC, Cowboys may further embrace varied front alignments (three/five-man lines, one-gap penetrators).
• Focus on getting defensive tackles who can disrupt, not just anchor, becomes likely.

6. Cowboys Coaching News: Derek Ainsley Hire (24:36–27:40)

The Hire & Its Rationale (24:36–26:30)

• McCool: “They want to run a lot of match coverage...Now you’ve got a guy who’s going to be calling your coverages that has experience in both sides of the world—Saban’s system and Brandon Staley’s split field versions.”
• Ainsley’s experience under both Nick Saban and Brandon Staley aligns with the Cowboys’ vision for their secondary—flexible, match-heavy coverage requiring DBs to react with their eyes post-snap.
• “Who better than a guy that's been hired by Nick Saban not once but twice to teach defensive backs...?” (McCool, 26:04)

Green Bay Experience—Trusted Voice in the Booth (26:30–27:40)

• Mosher: "All the reports are, the Cowboys got a good one here...I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s up in the booth...helping Christian Parker."
• Ainsley’s DC background with the Chargers in 2023 brings tactical expertise as well as teaching acumen to the locker room.

7. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Jacob Rodriguez:

  “He proved that maybe he belongs with the rest of [the top linebackers].” (Landon, 05:16)

• On Kyle Lewis’s Coverage:

  “That’s the best coverage linebacker drill I’ve ever seen from any linebacker ever in Mobile.” (Marcus, 08:44)

• On Scheme Flexibility:

  “We have no idea what they think of [these DTs] ... wouldn't shock us if they spend an early Day 3 pick on another rotational defensive tackle that fits this scheme better.” (Marcus, 20:05)

• On the Ainsley hire:

  “They want to run a lot of match coverage... they need coaches who understand how to teach their cornerbacks how to play with their eyes.” (Landon, 24:40)
  “The Cowboys got a good one here.” (Marcus, 26:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Linebackers Depth & Philosophy: 01:42–04:22
• Jacob Rodriguez Deep-Dive: 03:31–06:26
• Bryce Boucher & Kyle Lewis Profiles: 07:00–10:48
• Other Senior Bowl Standouts: 14:23–19:54
• Defensive Scheme & D-Linemen: 19:54–21:33
• Derek Ainsley Coaching Hire Reaction: 24:36–27:40

Tone & Atmosphere

The hosts maintain their well-informed, slightly playful, and passionate tone, mixing light teasing (e.g., Bryce "Bobby Boucher" jokes) with deep football analysis. Their dynamic demonstrates mutual respect, occasionally poking fun at mispronunciations or obvious football-ism, but always keeping the Cowboys' future front and center.

Summary Takeaways

• Cowboys' linebackers are in the draft’s driver seat: The class’s depth gives Dallas options and flexibility, potentially reshaping their early draft priorities.
• Names to Know: Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Bryce Boucher (Oregon), Kyle Lewis (Pitt) headline a list of LBs who impressed; Mike Washington (Arkansas) and Max Ian Anchor (ASU) are strong value picks at RB and OT, respectively.
• Coaching staff upgrades: Derek Ainsley’s hire brings “match” acumen and flexibility to the secondary—matching the defensive identity now being forged under Christian Parker.
• Draft process in flux: The Cowboys’ approach continues to evolve as practice film and coach hires hint at scheme tweaks and positional priorities for 2026.

For Cowboys fans and NFL Draft watchers alike, this episode is a one-stop breakdown of how the team’s linebacker hopes, draft targets, and secondary strategy are being redefined by the lessons of Senior Bowl week.