No Texas Longhorns were drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Only five Longhorns are expected to get drafted this year. The top UT player on most boards is linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. He’s projected to go in the second round, third at the latest. Which team is the best fit? It might be the Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN has projected the “Best Fits” for each team for Day 2 of the NFL Draft. ESPN scribe Ben Solak thinks Hill is perfect for Dallas.
“The Cowboys had a chance to get a linebacker in the first round, with two picks. Alas, the chips didn’t fall that way, as they went with Caleb Downs (safety) and Malachi Lawrence (edge rusher). Their need at linebacker remains enormous. They have only three rostered players there, and the only one who is a plus starter (DeMarvion Overshown) has a big injury history.
But if the Longhorns linebacker picked in the 90s worked for them in 2023 with Overshown, why not go back to the well? Hill’s flashes stand up with the play of Sonny Styles, CJ Allen, Rodriguez and whatever other top linebacker you want in this class. Only 21 and far bulkier than Overshown (238 pounds), Hill triggers fast when he sees it and has the size-speed combo necessary to beat linemen to the spot or blow them up when he gets there. The technique lapses when addressing tackles or shedding blocks lead to inconsistent production, but Dallas should be willing to endure his warts for the upside he offers.” – Ben Solak of ESPN
Cowboys head coach attended Texas Pro Day, where he saw the Denton Ryan grad work out in person. Dallas also sent defensive coordinator Christian Parker to check out Hill. After seeing Hill in action, Schottenheimer had dinner with the Texas native.
If Hill were to end up in Dallas, he would get to play alongside a former Longhorn in DeMarvion Overshown. That is something Hill is looking forward to, if it becomes a reality.
“There can’t be two Agent 0s, right? … It’d be a blessing to play with him,” Hill said at Texas Pro Day. ” I’ve been watching him my whole life.”
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Are Dallas Cowboys best fit for Texas football LB Anthony Hill Jr?
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
