{"id":482441,"date":"2026-10-31T14:55:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/482441\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T14:55:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:55:28","slug":"cowboys-trade-rumor-from-nfl-insider-lays-out-unusual-possible-deadline-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/482441\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys Trade Rumor From NFL Insider Lays Out Unusual Possible Deadline Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9u\">One issue the Dallas Cowboys have as they navigate the next week-plus before the trade deadline is the lack of draft capital.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9z\">Because of his wheeling and dealing in recent years, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn&#8217;t have a ton to operate with, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/updated-list-dallas-cowboys-future-draft-picks-after-joey-porter-jr-trade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cowboys having just four picks<\/a> in next year&#8217;s draft.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a4\">Dallas does have six in the 2028 NFL Draft, but the team is missing its second-round pick and we also know that teams prefer picks that come sooner rather than later in trades.<\/p>\n<p>Cowboys could struggle to make trade<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m6925ybw6e25cm88sg.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"al\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks looks on prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.  Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ar\">Because of the Cowboys&#8217; lack of draft capital, The Athletic&#8217;s Jonathan Jones is hearing that the Cowboys might have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7740323\/2026\/10\/31\/john-harbaugh-jeffery-simmons-trade-jonathan-taylor-caleb-williams\/?unlocked_article_code=1.M1E.ETN3.w_oVzBTecmx3&amp;source=emp_shared_article&amp;smid=ta-ios-share\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">&#8220;difficult&#8221; time making trades<\/a> at the deadline.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"aw\">He also wonders if the Cowboys might try and make a player-for-player trade instead of the typical player-for-pick deals we see.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b1\">&#8220;Jerry Jones is always down to make a deal, but sources there think a pick-for-player trade would be difficult considering what Dallas has left,&#8221; Jones said on Saturday. &#8220;Player-for-player trades have always been rare in the league, but if Dallas acquires help, maybe that\u2019s their method.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jerry Jones pessimistic about a trade<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m6929f6gb0fph7xccx.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"bi\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.  Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bo\">Jones has poured cold water on the notion that the Cowboys are 100% locked into making a trade.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bt\">Jones continues to say<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/jerry-jones-optimistic-cowboys-chances-trade-improve-defense\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> he&#8217;s open to making a trade<\/a>, but Jones also said it&#8217;s &#8220;unlikely we&#8217;ll get the opportunity from outside coming in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"by\">More recently, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/cowboys-jerry-jones-admits-no-urgency-nfc-arms-race-trade-deadline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jones admitted he isn&#8217;t feeling<\/a> an added sense of urgency after some  blockbuster trades around the NFL and &#8220;it would have to be a dynamic situation to give up (draft) picks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c3\">This could be posturing from Jones, but it sure seems like the Cowboys owner is accepting the reality of the situation he&#8217;s in.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c8\">It takes two to tango to make a trade and the price has to be right. Jones also has to weigh how much more he wants to dump into this team knowing another trade might not fix things.<\/p>\n<p>The problem with a player-for-player swap<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m692j1j70rw4h4b1ht.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"cp\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cv\">The problem with a player-for-player trade is the Cowboys are very unlikely to land the kind of substantial addition they need.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d0\">That&#8217;s because the Cowboys would have to give up one of their best players to get something significant done and how many of those guys can the Cowboys even afford to give up?<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d5\">The answer is not many, if any.<\/p>\n<p>Who could Cowboys trade for a big return?<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m692kff82512n9h23t.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"dm\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) leaves the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.  Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ds\">One player who immediately comes to mind is wideout George Pickens, who is the best combination of valuable and possibly available on Dallas&#8217; roster.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dx\">Pickens <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/what-george-pickens-only-nfl-player-franchise-tag-means-cowboys-future\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">is on the franchise tag<\/a>, which means he&#8217;s set to be a free agent in 2027 once again unless the Cowboys tag him or extend him. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"e2\">We continue to believe the latter approach won&#8217;t be something the Cowboys seriously consider because paying hefty money to two wideouts will seriously hinder Dallas&#8217; ability to improve other positions.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"e7\">Chances are he won&#8217;t be amenable to the tag again, which could lead to a holdout situation if the Cowboys take that route. If the Cowboys do keep him on the tag again, the price will be higher and all of the money will be on the books for 2027, which will seriously hinder Dallas&#8217; cap situation. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ec\">Trading Pickens right now would be a blow to the offense, but it&#8217;s not like the Cowboys are having much success with him on the team, anyway, and that&#8217;s because their defense stinks.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"eh\">All that said, we find it highly unlikely the Cowboys will trade Pickens during the season and if a big trade does go down, it&#8217;ll involve Dallas giving up more draft capital and maybe a lesser player thrown in to sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-28\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"em\">\u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter<\/a> for more free coverage from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Dallas Cowboys on SI<\/a> \u2014<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" preventdefault:click=\"\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\" on:click=\"q-BuzMUIXO.js#s_lDqay9E5m5g[0]\" q:id=\"es\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One issue the Dallas Cowboys have as they navigate the next week-plus before the trade deadline is the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":482442,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":["post-482441","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482441","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=482441"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482441\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/482442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=482441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=482441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=482441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}