The Dallas Cowboys are primed for a major bounce-back season in 2026 after missing the playoffs in 2025, but there is still a glaring need on the team’s roster that could be addressed.

Though the Cowboys acquired Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers to serve as the other starting linebacker next to DeMarvion Overshown, the position could still use another impact player. Overshown has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, while Winters may be better as a rotational linebacker than as a starter who plays every down.

As a result, an NFL analyst believes Dallas should consider trading for an All-Pro linebacker from an AFC East team that happens to be in rebuild mode.

Cowboys linked to Jordyn Brooks trade with Dolphins

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FOX Sports’ Greg Auman listed Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks as a possible NFL trade candidate and believes the Cowboys are a potential landing spot.

“It’s possible Miami wants to keep him [Brooks] as one key piece, but it should be active enough in 2027 free agency that it won’t be able to get a compensatory pick for losing him,” Auman wrote. “If it doesn’t happen before the season, it feels inevitable he lands with a contender at the trade deadline. The Dallas Cowboys need all the defensive upgrades they can get after last season.”

Brooks had a breakout season with the Dolphins in 2025, posting a league-high 183 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 13 tackles for loss. The 28-year-old also tallied 60 defensive stops, the fourth most in the NFL.

And to top it all off, Brooks was a first-team All-Pro selection, though he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl.

Brooks would be a logical trade target for the Cowboys. It was reported earlier this offseason that Dallas was interested in trading for the Dolphins’ star linebacker, so it’s clear that Jerry and Stephen Jones have done their research on the veteran.

With the former Seattle Seahawk entering the final year of a three-year, $26 million contract he signed with Miami in 2024, the Dolphins could look to trade Brooks and continue their rebuild that has already seen the departures of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Bradley Chubb.

Adding Brooks to the linebacker group would give Dallas another enforcer with an aggressive playstyle. Brooks would pair well with Overshown, and with Winters also in the fold, the Cowboys would have one of the best, if not the best, linebacker trios in football.

Acquiring Brooks in a deal with Miami would likely cost Dallas a Day 2 pick in 2027, but the Cowboys could afford to give up their second- or third-round selection because they have an extra first from the Micah Parsons trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Overall, trading for Brooks right now isn’t an urgent move for Dallas. However, if the Dolphins are selling at the November trade deadline and the Cowboys need some extra firepower on defense, that would be the perfect time to finally bring in Brooks and solidify the linebacker position.