Editing Randall Godfrey (section)

===Dallas Cowboys===
Godfrey was selected by the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in the second round of the [[1996 NFL draft]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/draft.htm |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> after dropping because of his diminished production as a college senior. Although he was selected to play [[middle linebacker]], the level of skill and speed he demonstrated in [[training camp]], allowed the Cowboys to move him into different defensive positions.

He started the last six games of his rookie season at [[strongside linebacker]] replacing [[Broderick Thomas]]. The next year, he registered 149 tackles (second on the team), one sack and 2 passes defensed. In [[1998 NFL season|1998]], he finished with 115 tackles (fourth on the team), 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

In [[1999 NFL season|1999]], he led the team with 143 tackles after being switched to his natural position at [[middle linebacker]], replacing [[Fred Strickland]] who was released.

In the 90's, the Cowboys organization felt they could find [[linebackers]] through the draft, without the need of paying a premium and adversely impacting the [[salary cap]], so they allowed talented and productive players like [[Ken Norton Jr.]], [[Darrin Smith]], [[Dixon Edwards]] and [[Robert Jones (linebacker)|Robert Jones]], to leave via free agency, instead of signing them into long-term contracts.

During the [[2000 NFL season|2000]] [[Free agent|free agency]] period, although Godfrey was firmly entrenched as the team starting [[middle linebacker]], the Cowboys chose not to match the offer he received from the [[Tennessee Titans]] and decided to let [[Dat Nguyen]] take over the position. He never missed a game in his four seasons in Dallas, recording 438 tackles, 5 quarterback sacks and 2 interceptions.