Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) shares a laugh with former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
FRISCO – Only with Jerry Jones in charge could an old Arkansas pal stop by The Star for lunch Wednesday and create a signature moment for the Cowboys franchise, at least as far as pre-draft news conferences go.
Our Joe Hoyt was halfway through a question about draft philosophy when the Joneses started waving madly from the podium at a former leader of the free world, thus derailing the presser, not to mention Joe’s equilibrium.
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Just a guess, but I’m pretty sure this sort of stuff doesn’t happen in Charlotte, though, come to think of it, it’s fairly common at the Globe.
Former President George W. Bush cheers after Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson scored on a single by outfielder Wyatt Langford during the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates as former first lady Laura Bush looks on at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
The Rangers may count George W. Bush as one of their own, but the Cowboys apparently can claim Bill Clinton.
Especially if No. 42 has any inside dope on what Washington will do with the seventh pick.
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The Cowboys need all the intel they can get going into Thursday’s draft. From their current berth at 12, if the dominoes don’t fall just so, they could whiff on all of the most impactful defensive players.
Worse, they might even take a receiver.
And how does that bail out Christian Parker?
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A queasy feeling set in halfway through Thursday’s presser after its second non-draft headline dropped, this as casually as the first: The Cowboys will franchise George Pickens this fall, meaning no further contract negotiations.
First, a former president stops by to chop it up, then Stephen Jones makes a major announcement only because a reporter had the wherewithal to ask.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer speaks during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attends former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) shares a laugh with former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attends former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attends former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attends former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) talks to former President Bill Clinton as he makes a surprise visit during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Former President Bill Clinton makes a surprise visit during a Dallas Cowboys pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay listens during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
From left, Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, owner Jerry Jones, COO Stephen Jones, and vice president of player personnel Will McClay take part during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer listens to the questions during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones (center) listen during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shares a laugh during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Anyway, let me just say the Joneses did the right thing in franchising Pickens. He needs at least another year under their noses before giving him a long-term deal, even if doing so means jeopardizing their chances of the latter. Stephen made it sound like no big deal. He noted that several Cowboys have played under the tag with no long-term complications, including the guy throwing Pickens passes.
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Let’s just say Pickens is different and leave it at that.
The uncertainty of his future might persuade the Cowboys that the best thing to do with the 12th pick – if Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain or Mansoor Delane isn’t there – is to take, say, Jordyn Tyson, the Arizona State receiver. Stephen essentially confirmed the possibilities Thursday when he said they wouldn’t push it by taking a defensive player unworthy of the 12th pick just because defense is a priority.
My guess: Don’t count on Bain’s teammate, Akheem Mesidor, at 12.
The Joneses have repeatedly reminded us of the 2020 draft, when, desperate for defense, they caught CeeDee Lamb after he fell to them at 17. I had no argument then or now.
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But here’s the difference: Going into the ’20 season, they didn’t have $62 million committed to a pair of big-time receivers when they added another. Also, that defense, led by DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs, Jourdan Lewis and Jaylon Smith coming off his best year, had more players than this one does.
The Cowboys aren’t good enough to worry about a replacement for Pickens if he isn’t in their long-term plans. He’s got to play to earn the deal he wants, so I wouldn’t worry about him holding out. They need picks who will make a difference now, especially after they’ve gotten so little out of so few in the last three drafts.
Fortunately, I’m here to help, as usual. As a record of bona fides, I will remind you that, the day before the 2016 draft, I wrote that the Cowboys should take Jalen Ramsey with the fourth pick and Derrick Henry in the second round. As it turns out, they could have had both instead of Zeke Elliott and Jaylon. Pretty good, no?
Never mind that I was down with Taco Charlton the next year.
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Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Jay LaPrete/AP
Bottom line: Jerry can’t afford to wait until the 12th pick and hope there’s an answer to one of his pressing needs on defense. He needs to trade up. Stephen suggested Thursday that trading into the top five might be problematic, “but I wouldn’t rule out moving up.”
If they trade for Cleveland’s pick at six, it would cost them the 12 and probably this year’s third. From six they could land at least one of Styles or Downs or Delane, all of whom would be upgrades.
But none would answer Parker’s biggest need, which is a pass rush. By all accounts, the two best edges in the draft are Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, one of whom will be gone when Arizona goes on the clock with the third pick.
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Could the Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame lightning bolt? Could the Cowboys afford to take that chance and trade with Tennessee for the fourth pick?
Would they be happy just to get in front of the Giants and mess up their night?
If it were me, I’d trade the 12 and a second-rounder next year for Cleveland’s pick, hope Bailey or Reese slips and accept Styles, Downs or Delane as a nice consolation prize. Then I’d trade the 20th pick for a second and third and draft Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez with the former if Styles isn’t available.
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Granted, it’s a lot to absorb in a short time, even if Jerry swears they’re as prepared for this draft as they’ve ever been. I’m sure he gave Clinton an earful over lunch. Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation?
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As it was, it was enough for Will McClay to be in the room when the former president walked in. Asked to rate the celebrities who have visited The Star over the years, the Cowboys’ personnel director ranked Clinton No. 1.
Brian Schottenheimer said his vote goes to Jerry. He may be smarter than you thought.