Draft target could serve as the Cowboys new linebacking punisher

Sep 20, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (3) rushes the line during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys linebacker room remains a giant work in progress. The team has attempted to add veterans in recent years to help stop the bleeding, but it hasn’t panned out. Younger draft picks like DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau also have had their own issues providing reliable play at the position, leaving this position vulnerable once again.

The front office didn’t do anything in free agency to address the position, leaving the upcoming NFL draft as their last chance to make improvements unless they circle back in a trade or free agent signing. To truly stabilize the defense under the new regime, the front office needs a sideline-to-sideline eraser who can hit like a freight train, making this Horned Frog an intriguing candidate.

LB, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 234 pounds | Speed: 4.47 forty time

Background

His path to the pros is a testament to the power of persistence and a well-timed change of scenery. After suffering an ACL injury in his senior year in high school, he spent his first year at California rehabbing his knee. His sophomore season was spent contributing primarily on special teams. Once he cracked the starting lineup, his production exploded, leading to a high-profile transfer to Texas Christian. Over the last three seasons, he transformed into a defensive monster, culminating in a spectacular senior year where he led the Big 12 with 130 tackles. His consistency was almost comical, highlighted by a stretch where he recorded consecutive 16-tackle games, proving that if a ball carrier was in his zip code, they were going to the ground.

Strengths

The first thing that pops up on film is his downhill speed. He possesses exceptional range, allowing him to track down speedy running backs on the perimeter or close gaps in the blink of an eye. His aggressive tackling nature is a throwback to a more physical era of football, as he consistently meets blockers and ball carriers with a violent punch. He does not just try to bring people down. He tries to go through them.

Beyond his raw physical tools, he has demonstrated a post-injury level of durability that provides peace of mind to scouts. He has shown the functional strength necessary to shed blocks from climbing offensive linemen, refusing to let himself be neutralized in the run game. Furthermore, he offers surprising utility as a pass rusher, using his 4.47 speed to loop around the edge or blast through interior gaps. This versatility makes him more than just a traditional linebacker, as he can stay on the field for all three downs and contribute in multiple phases of the defensive game plan.

Weaknesses

Despite his high-level production, he does possess a relatively small size for an NFL linebacker, which can lead to him getting washed out of plays when heavy-footed guards get their hands on him. His processing ability is still a work in progress, as he can occasionally be fooled by play-action or misdirection, causing him to take a false step. This leads to inconsistent pursuit angles where he over-pursues the play, leaving cutback lanes open for smart runners. Improving his eye discipline and patience at the second level will be key to ensuring his athletic gifts are not wasted by poor positioning.

The Fit

He’s a great fit for the defensive structure being implemented by Christian Parker as the team’s new defensive coordinator prioritizes linebackers with elite processing speed and the athletic profile to excel in pattern match coverages. His ability to move laterally and close passing windows quickly aligns perfectly with the requirements of this system. By adding a player with his range and downhill trigger, the Cowboys would be securing a defender who can keep pace with the increasingly fast offenses of the NFC while providing the schematic flexibility the coaching staff craves.

The Final Word

He is currently projected as a mid-round selection, likely hearing his name called in the third or fourth round. For the Cowboys, he represents a high-value investment who can contribute on special teams immediately while pushing for a starting role in the linebacker rotation. He provides the defense with a much-needed injection of youth and speed, serving as the perfect complement to the existing veterans. If they want a tackling machine with track-star speed and a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas, this could be the linebacker to take to fortify their defense.