Top free agent LBs left for Cowboys to sign

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 4: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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:

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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?