The Dallas Cowboys certainly have an interest in Texas linebacker Anthony Hill heading into the NFL draft. It was just three weeks ago, that Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer flew back from a morning pro day in Miami to make it to a dinner with Hill that the team was hosting before his Longhorns pro day in Austin. Hill, it was noted, had the smothered chicken and a salad.
Hill is one of three potential linebackers the Cowboys could take either with the No. 20 overall pick or by trading back into the second round if they are able to do so. Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and CJ Allen of Georgia are the others. The Cowboys could potentially land the top linebacker in the draft, Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, if he either falls to No. 12 or if the team trades up to get him.
The Cowboys are showing a renewed interest in Hill, though, and are meeting with him at The Star on a Top 30 visit on Monday, April 13. As veteran Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill wrote on Twitter/X this weekend: “Texas star LB Anthony Hill jr has visit scheduled with his hometown Dallas Cowboys on Monday.”
Cowboys Looking Closer at Anthony Hill in NFL Draft
Hill, Rodriguez and Allen all have different positives that they could bring to the Cowboys defense. Hill was the “green dot” linebacker at Texas, meaning he organized his teammates and called the plays, a role the Cowboys desperately need to fill on the current roster. Hill was a five-star recruit from Billy Ryan High in Denton, and though it is something of an outdated ritual, owner Jerry Jones does like picking local players.
Hill starred at Texas, earning freshman All-American honors in 2023, and leading the SEC with 14.5 tackles for a loss in 2024. He was a second-team All-American in both 2024 and 2025, though he played only 10 games last year because of a hand injury. He was still a Butkus Award finalist last season.
Anthony Hill Has ‘Athletic Versatility’ Heading Into NFL Draft
During his time at Texas, Hill earned a reputation as a hard-hitter capable of “splash” plays in the middle. That might appeal to the Cowboys, as long as he can rein himself in and be a more steady presence on the defense.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Hill No. 50 in this class, and wrote: “An impressive size-speed prospect, Hill brings athletic versatility to the field with his range versus the run, speed as a blitzer and change of direction in coverage. Though he shows a feel for play development around him, he is more of a decisive ‘see-ball, get-ball’ player than a defender who relies on anticipation. His stack-and-shed efficiency must improve, but he plays with the toughness to evade blocks, carom off contact and continue his pursuit.”
Cowboys Badly Need Linebacker Help
The Cowboys need more than just Hill–or Rodriguez or Allen–in the middle at linebacker. Even if they use the No. 20 pick, or trade down, to take a linebacker, they’ll likely need a veteran, too. That’s been a theme of their offseason.
Dallas made offers to both Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in free agency, but both turned them down to sign with the Raiders. They also sought to sign Devin Lloyd, the top linebacker on the market, but could not match the eye-opening three-year, $45 million deal he signed with the Panthers.
The Cowboys still plan to add at linebacker. As owner Jerry Jones said last month: “We want to get better there with personnel. We’ve been trying very much to make some trades. They haven’t worked out for us there, but that won’t deter us from getting better there.”
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