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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.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
FRISCO \u2013 Only with Jerry Jones in charge could an old Arkansas pal stop by The Star for lunch<\/a> Wednesday and create a signature moment for the Cowboys franchise, at least as far as pre-draft news conferences go.<\/p>\n Our Joe\u00a0Hoyt was halfway through a question<\/a> 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\u2019s equilibrium.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Just a guess, but I\u2019m pretty sure this sort of stuff doesn\u2019t happen in Charlotte, though, come to think of it, it\u2019s fairly common at the Globe.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n The Rangers may count George\u00a0W. Bush as one of their own, but the Cowboys apparently can claim Bill Clinton.<\/p>\n Especially if No. 42 has any inside dope on what Washington will do with the seventh pick.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Cowboys need all the\u00a0intel they can get<\/a> going into Thursday\u2019s draft. From their current berth at 12, if the dominoes don\u2019t fall just so, they could whiff on all of the most impactful defensive players.<\/p>\n Worse, they might even take a receiver.<\/p>\n And how does that bail out Christian Parker?<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A queasy feeling set in halfway through Thursday\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer speaks during a pre-draft news conference, at The Star in Frisco, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Anyway, let me just say the\u00a0Joneses 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Let\u2019s just say\u00a0Pickens is different and leave it at that.<\/p>\n The uncertainty of his future might persuade the Cowboys that the best thing to do with the 12th pick \u2013 if Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs,\u00a0Rueben Bain or Mansoor Delane isn\u2019t there<\/a> \u2013 is to take, say, Jordyn Tyson, the Arizona State receiver. Stephen essentially confirmed the possibilities Thursday when he said they wouldn\u2019t push it by taking a defensive player unworthy of the 12th pick just because defense is a priority.<\/p>\n My guess: Don\u2019t count on\u00a0Bain\u2019s teammate, Akheem Mesidor<\/a>, at 12.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Joneses 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the difference: Going into the ’20 season, they didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n The Cowboys aren\u2019t good enough to worry about a replacement for\u00a0Pickens if he isn\u2019t in their long-term plans. He\u2019s got to play to earn the deal he wants, so I wouldn\u2019t worry about him holding out. They need picks who will make a difference now, especially after they\u2019ve gotten so little out of so few in the last three drafts.<\/p>\n Fortunately, I\u2019m 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\u00a0Jalen 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?<\/p>\n Never mind that I was down with Taco\u00a0Charlton the next year.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Jay LaPrete\/AP<\/p>\n Bottom line: Jerry can\u2019t afford to wait until the 12th pick and hope there\u2019s an answer to one of his pressing needs on defense. He needs to trade up<\/a>. Stephen suggested Thursday that trading into the top five might be problematic, \u201cbut I wouldn\u2019t rule out moving up.\u201d<\/p>\n If they trade for Cleveland\u2019s pick at six, it would cost them the 12 and probably this year\u2019s third. From six they could land at least one of Styles or Downs or\u00a0Delane, all of whom would be upgrades.<\/p>\n But none would answer Parker\u2019s biggest need, which is a pass rush. By all accounts, the two best edges in the draft are Texas Tech\u2019s David Bailey<\/a> and Ohio State\u2019s\u00a0Arvell Reese, one of whom will be gone when Arizona goes on the clock with the third pick.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Could the Cardinals select\u00a0Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame lightning bolt? Could the Cowboys afford to take that chance and trade with Tennessee for the fourth pick?<\/p>\n Would they be happy just to get in front of the Giants and mess up their night?<\/p>\n If it were me, I\u2019d trade the 12 and a second-rounder next year for Cleveland\u2019s pick, hope Bailey or\u00a0Reese slips and accept Styles, Downs or Delane as a nice consolation prize. Then I\u2019d trade the 20th pick for a second and third and draft Tech\u2019s Jacob Rodriguez with the former if Styles isn\u2019t available.<\/p>\n By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use<\/a> and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Granted, it\u2019s a lot to absorb in a short time, even if Jerry swears they\u2019re as prepared for this draft as they\u2019ve ever been. I\u2019m sure he gave Clinton an earful over lunch. Wouldn\u2019t you have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation?<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n As it was, it was enough for Will\u00a0McClay 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\u2019 personnel director ranked Clinton No. 1.<\/p>\n Brian\u00a0Schottenheimer said his vote goes to Jerry. He may be smarter than you thought.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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