Cowboys bring in intriguing small-school LB ahead of draft

With just a handful of days remaining before the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys continue doing their homework on under-the-radar prospects. The club has brought in a wide swath of the upcoming draft class, bringing in prospects ranging from top-5 pick contenders to UDFAs.

This past Wednesday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Dallas has added Louisiana linebacker Jaden Dugger to their 30 pre-draft visits.

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native who started his career at Georgetown, Dugger played safety for two years there. He recorded 58 tackles (35 solo tackles), three sacks, and an interception. nine pass deflections and force fumble in 19 games at the FCS level.

After the 2023 season, he entered the transfer and committed to play for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons Dugger accumulated more than 2,000 snaps and achieved 162 tackles, including 86 solo tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, 12 quarterback pressures, and one interception. In coverage he limited opposing receivers to an average of 9.0 yards per reception, as reported by PFF.

Jaden Dugger Pro day mesurements

HT: 6-foot-4

WT: 242 pounds

Arm length: 35"

40-yard dash : 4.60 seconds

10-yard split: 1.60 seconds

20-yard split: 2.65 seconds

Vertical Jump: 34.5"

Jaden Dugger Scouting Overview

2025 stats: 125 tackles, 64 solo tackles, an interception, a force fumble, and 3 pass deflections

Strengths

Dugger is a dynamic, downhill linebacker with impressive pass-rushing skills, positioning him as a potential future blitzer in sub-packages at the next level. Additionally, his background as a former safety facilitates a smooth transition into coverage and allows him to effectively cover space. His tall frame enables him to stack and shed blockers with ease. Ultimately, he is a hybrid defender who has yet to reach his full potential, as he is still adapting to the linebacker position.

Weaknesses