\u201cI\u2019ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,\u201d Jones said. \u201cAnd absolutely, we\u2019ll 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\u2019s very doable. And yes you should, when you\u2019ve got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we\u2019ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations.\u201d<\/p>\n
At No. 12, there are scenarios where the elite defenders such as LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane<\/a>, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n With their two scheduled first-round selections, let\u2019s take a look at the five most realistic trade-down scenarios for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n No. 17: Detroit Lions<\/p>\n Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 17 and No. 50 (second round) in exchange for No. 12<\/p>\n It\u2019s expected that the Lions will be hunting down an offensive tackle in the first round. And if the Cowboys don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Whether that\u2019s Utah\u2019s Spencer Fano, Georgia\u2019s Monroe Freeling or Miami\u2019s Francis Mauigoa, the Lions could be aggressive to move up and take their guy if the board falls the right way.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n No. 28: Houston Texans<\/p>\n Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 28 and No. 69 (third round) in exchange for No. 20<\/p>\n A lot like the Lions scenario, the Texans will be hunting down offensive line as well in the first round, but it\u2019s expected that they put a closer eye at the guard position.<\/p>\n If Alabama\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n This would be a bit of an overpay from the Texans\u2019 perspective, but first-round trades over the past decade have seen a premium tax get put on top-20 selections more often than not \u2014 even if it\u2019s just at the edge of that range.<\/p>\n No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 29 and No. 74 (third round) in exchange for No. 20<\/p>\n From the Cowboys\u2019 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\u2019s Cashius Howell, Central Florida\u2019s Malachi Lawrence or Miami\u2019s Akheem Mesidor.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 while still keeping a pick in the first round \u2014 could make filling holes on the roster a lot easier.<\/p>\n No. 25: Chicago Bears<\/p>\n Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 25 and No. 89 (third round) in exchange for No. 20<\/p>\n If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Peter Woods, Ohio State\u2019s Kayden McDonald or Florida\u2019s Caleb Banks.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n No. 31: New England Patriots<\/p>\n Deal: Cowboys acquire No. 31 and No. 63 overall (second round) in exchange for No. 20<\/p>\n 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\u2019t be as far back of a slide as some may think.<\/p>\n Good players would still be on the board, and an extra second-round pick would be in Dallas\u2019 pocket \u2014 potentially the only scenario where Dallas picks up a second-round pick and keeps both first-round picks by moving back from No. 20.<\/p>\n The Patriots don\u2019t have any glaring needs, but an elite talent slipping down to No. 20 could cause them to bite on a trade proposal.<\/p>\n