FRISCO – With free agency around the corner and the Scouting Combine wrapped up, Dallas bosses Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Will McClay and Brian Schottenheimer will be busy scouting prospective targets and working the phones on potential trades leading up to the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23-25.

Dallas holds picks No. 12 and 20 in the first round. Most expect the team to target two defensive players, with positions like edge rusher, linebacker and defensive back making the most sense after scoping the Cowboys’ current roster.

But we cannot always eliminate the possibility of a trade, either up or back, in Round 1.

Moving up would suggest that the Cowboys have fallen in love with a certain prospect and are initiating a “chase.’’ While we often urge against solely targeting one position or a certain type of pedigree, the concept of trading down is intriguing if the top half of the round sees Dallas’ short list of high grades get taken.

That’s an outcome ESPN predicts, with NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid tabbing the Cowboys to be on the move.

With players Dallas likely has booked-marked in Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and Mansoor Delane off the board, Reid has “America’s Team” reconnecting with a recent trade partner, the New York Jets. The proposed trade reads as follows:

DAL Receives: Pick No. 16, fourth-round pick, seventh-round pick

NYJ Receives: Pick No. 12

In this scenario, it’s a smart play for the Cowboys to consider moving back. … though Dallas would need to ask for more to make this a match on the Trade Value Chart.

After the swap, Dallas still gets to attack its depleted secondary by drafting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, while also stocking up more draft capital.

“They started to remake their secondary last season,” says Reid of the Cowboys, “and adding Thieneman, an active defender with positional and scheme versatility, would continue that process.

“Dallas specializes in two-high safety looks, and Thieneman is an excellent processor who can close on plays in a hurry. Dallas forced only 12 turnovers in 2025, and Thieneman has the ability to be a ballhawk while bringing physicality when stepping down against the run.”

This bridge between Dallas and New York in the trade market could be traveled again after the trade-deadline deal that brought star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys for future draft picks, including a first-rounder in 2027.

In this deal, New York would be sending Dallas the No. 16 spot they received from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for cornerback Sauce Gardner, another one of their roster-purging sendoffs.

Regardless of the positioning, moving back isn’t something the Cowboys should be afraid of if they don’t see a player available at 12 that they think would contribute to winning right away, which for all intents and purposes, should still remain the top priority even after a forgetful 2025 season.

Netting at least one Day 2 pick (which Dallas has none of currently) is another thing the team would greatly be interested in, depending on who others the Cowboys talk to in or around Round 1. This mock trade, with Dallas only moving down slightly, won’t warrant a pick in Round 2 or 3, but still lands the Cowboys extra options and the opportunity to still land an elite defensive back prospect.

Following that, Christian Parker’s defense is benefited again with Reid mocking Dallas to pick Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 20, who “scouts keep saying should go higher than expected.”

“His physical mentality and competitive demeanor are easy to see, and he had one of the better on-field workouts of any corner at the combine. The Cowboys have holes to fill in the secondary around standout corner DaRon Bland, and Terrell would fit perfectly in the back end of new coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme.”

Parker has emphasized Dallas’ plan of the secondary being multiple – which also points to young corner/nickel Reddy Stewart retaining his spot via a tender on Wednesday. Getting Thieneman and Terrell helps that idea, as well.

It will come down to the Joneses’ willingness to trade down to make it happen.

Like what you see? Try the Fish Report!

–