As the NFL draft approaches for the Dallas Cowboys, so do the possibilities for them to move around in the first round from their scheduled selections of No. 12 and No. 20 overall.
Speaking at the NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix last week, owner Jerry Jones talked about the possibility of trading around in the first round. And while trading up is as strong of a possibility as it has been in the past decade, the potential of moving down to acquire more draft capital could still present itself on draft night.
“I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,” Jones said. “And absolutely, we’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. Now, that has an on the board aspect to it, but it’s very doable. And yes you should, when you’ve got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations.”
At No. 12, there are scenarios where the elite defenders such as LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and more are off the board when the Cowboys are on the clock. At No. 20, closely rated players in the 15 to 35 range could give Dallas flexibility to move around.
With their two scheduled first-round selections, let’s take a look at the five most realistic trade-down scenarios for the Cowboys.
No. 17: Detroit Lions
Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 17 and No. 50 (second round) in exchange for No. 12
It’s expected that the Lions will be hunting down an offensive tackle in the first round. And if the Cowboys don’t have an elite defender left on the board when No. 12 is on the clock, then it probably means that some of the elite tackles were not taken.
Whether that’s Utah’s Spencer Fano, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling or Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, the Lions could be aggressive to move up and take their guy if the board falls the right way.
For the Cowboys, they would slide back just five spots and pick up a mid-second round selection to add to the day two arsenal.
No. 28: Houston Texans
Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 28 and No. 69 (third round) in exchange for No. 20
A lot like the Lions scenario, the Texans will be hunting down offensive line as well in the first round, but it’s expected that they put a closer eye at the guard position.
If Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor is still on the board when the Cowboys are on the clock at No. 20, it could make sense for the Texans to get on the phone to prevent seven other teams from having the shot at selecting him.
This would be a bit of an overpay from the Texans’ perspective, but first-round trades over the past decade have seen a premium tax get put on top-20 selections more often than not — even if it’s just at the edge of that range.
No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs
Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 29 and No. 74 (third round) in exchange for No. 20
From the Cowboys’ perspective, this has the same spirit and idea as the Texans scenario presented above, but this one would obviously make more sense in the event that Houston does not ring. With two front offices that have a strong working relationship that has shown up in the draft as recently as 2023, this could be an opportunity for Kansas City to jump up and take an edge rusher such as Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Central Florida’s Malachi Lawrence or Miami’s Akheem Mesidor.
Now, the Cowboys need an edge rusher, too. Maybe this is one that makes even more sense if No. 12 is used on that position. But even in the event that it is not, picking up a third-round selection — while still keeping a pick in the first round — could make filling holes on the roster a lot easier.
No. 25: Chicago Bears
Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 25 and No. 89 (third round) in exchange for No. 20
If you’re in the camp of not wanting to trade back too far while still picking up a day two pick, then this might be the scenario for you.
The Bears appear to be hunting down interior defensive line help in the first round. And with the Chargers picking at No. 22 with a similar need, the Bears could want to make a slight jump to secure one of the elites in the class at the position such as Clemson’s Peter Woods, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald or Florida’s Caleb Banks.
This would give the Cowboys two picks in the third round within four picks of each other, as they are already scheduled to pick at No. 92 overall.
No. 31: New England Patriots
Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 31 and No. 63 overall (second round) in exchange for No. 20
Moving back 11 spots may be a tough one to stomach for some. But, again, with a player pool from roughly picks 15 to 35 being closer than in most drafts, this wouldn’t be as far back of a slide as some may think.
Good players would still be on the board, and an extra second-round pick would be in Dallas’ pocket — potentially the only scenario where Dallas picks up a second-round pick and keeps both first-round picks by moving back from No. 20.
The Patriots don’t have any glaring needs, but an elite talent slipping down to No. 20 could cause them to bite on a trade proposal.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.