The Dallas Cowboys are letting teams know they are open for business. On Monday at the NFL combine, Stephen Jones said the team is “open” to moving one of their first-round picks for a player.
Being open for business also comes with a caveat for Jones and the Cowboys—it has to be for the right player and the right fit. When the Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons, they desperately wanted defensive tackle Kenny Clark to be a part of that deal. Before acquiring Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, the Cowboys already had their sights set on him in the offseason as a player they wanted in the building.
The Cowboys won’t just trade for anyone, and they have also shown restraint, avoiding overpaying in recent history. There are a few names floating around that could make sense to move a first-round pick for that would help fill a need for Dallas. Maxx Crosby has made his feelings known about the current state of the Las Vegas Raiders and could want out. Could 12th overall move the needle enough, along with a future draft pick, to acquire the star defensive end?
How about in the secondary? NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah threw out a trade scenario where Dallas gets Trent McDuffie from Kansas City in exchange for the Cowboys’ second pick in the first round (20th overall). McDuffie would give Christian Parker a chess piece to move around at the nickel position or on the outside.
Just because a trade doesn’t happen before the draft doesn’t mean the Cowboys can’t move one of the picks on draft night. The Philadelphia Eagles were able to acquire A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans during the first round, which seemed like an underpay for someone of Brown’s talent at the time. Teams can get desperate on draft night and could raise the value of Dallas’ first-round picks the further this process goes.
Obviously, they could move a pick during the draft to get more picks. They would have to see how the board is playing out, but with two picks and no day two ammunition, that could make the most sense for a trade.
Dallas has shown they are confident in their ability to draft players, so it’s very likely they stick and pick with both selections in the first round. But if the right opportunity presents itself to make the team better, it’s good to know the front office is willing to negotiate and use their draft picks as bargaining chips.
