Draft experts have Cowboys making major move to trade up in multiple mocks – SportsDay, Dallas Morning News
Are the Cowboys destined to trade up in the NFL draft?
As the NFL draft closes in, much of the focus has been on what the Dallas Cowboys will do in the first round with picks No. 12 and 20.
According to some recent mock drafts from major outlets, however, it appears Jerry Jones may be working the phones next week to acquire a higher draft selection.
In new mocks released on Wednesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and The Ringer’s Todd McShay all have the Cowboys making a trade with
the Cleveland Browns to move up to pick No. 6 and acquire Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
“We’ve all wondered whether the Cowboys would use both of their first-round picks on defense this month, but this trade up the board might have a greater impact, even if it means sacrificing one of those Day 1 selections,” Kiper said.
The three mock drafts all had different scenarios that saw Dallas land the sixth pick.
Kiper: Dallas trades picks No. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39.
Brugler: Dallas trades picks No. 12, 20 and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39.
McShay: Dallas trades picks No. 12, 92 and a 2027 second-round pick to Cleveland for No. 6.
Cowboys’ Stephen Jones on why trades in first round could happen during draft – Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dallas moving in the first round has been a popular topic as of late.
As the NFL draft approaches on April 22, the likelihood of the Dallas Cowboys trading out of their No. 12 selection has picked up steam in media circles and respected mock drafters — specifically around the possibility of trading into the top 10.
On Tuesday afternoon, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones was asked on 105.3 The Fan about the likelihood of trades next week in the first round around the league, and it offered some insight into how the Cowboys are thinking going into next week.
“Next week, people finalize their boards and have their strategy sessions,” Jones said. “I’m a big believer that most of these trades happen as you’re on the board. Players fall off that you wanted, and then you’re willing to come out. Players are staying on the board that you thought might not be there, and then you’re attempting to move up a little bit.”
As the Cowboys have shown multiple times in the last decade, they have proved to be more comfortable by waiting to make movement in the first round until the draft has already started. As the board re-shapes with each pick, so does trade value.
“You might not be willing to give up what it costs to move way up in the draft,” Jones said. “But if a player starts to fall, then you get a little thought that maybe we could move up, and it wouldn’t cost as much, and we would still get the guy that we think is the best player for us at a particular position for where we’re going to pick.”
Stephen Jones: No one has called Cowboys about star wide receiver – RJ Ochoa, Blogging The Boys
The George Pickens saga continues.
If the Dallas Cowboys are going to ultimately trade away wide receiver George Pickens it is going to happen soon. We literally just discussed this.
This is known not because we are fortune-tellers, but because if Pickens is dealt it is going to come with the NFL draft which is next week. There are very few grains of sand left in this particular hourglass.
According to one top executive with the Cowboys that hasn’t necessarily moved any other teams.
No one has called about George Pickens
Speaking on Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan, Dallas Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones fielded a number of questions about the team’s draft strategy and overall situation ahead of next week. One of the questions asked had to do with George Pickens and the prospect of moving him. Stephen noted that so far no other NFL team has called with interest in Pickens.
Recall that the Cowboys placed the non-exclusive tag on Pickens which means other teams are permitted to negotiate with him directly. Should a team come to terms with him on deal then the Cowboys have right of first refusal and if they decline it they would be owed two first-round picks.
Final Cowboys big board: 50 players who could be fits from Day 1 to 3 – Jon Machota, The Athletic
The best fits for Dallas in this year’s NFL Draft.
Day 1
1. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Similar to when Micah Parsons was drafted, Reese could be an exceptional pass rusher while also helping as a traditional off-the-ball linebacker.
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The do-everything defender could help at both safety spots and at nickel defensive back. He could be the perfect piece to add to Christian Parker’s new defense.
3. David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
The Cowboys need pass-rush help, and he’s widely considered the best pure pass rusher in this class.
4. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
He’s another great option to fill the need at off-the-ball linebacker. Styles previously played safety, so he’d be another player Parker could use in a variety of ways to cause problems for opposing offenses.
5. Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
His arm length could be an issue for some teams, leaving the possibility he could fall to the Cowboys at 12. Coach Brian Schottenheimer and vice president of player personnel Will McClay attended Miami’s pro day.
6. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cowboys signed veteran Cobie Durant to help at the position. Dallas could enter the season with Durant, Shavon Revel and DaRon Bland as its starting corners. But another top young corner makes a lot of sense, especially with Bland’s foot injury history and Durant’s being under contract for only one season.
7. Jermod McCoy, CB, LSU
He’s coming off missing all of last season with a torn ACL, so that could be a concern early in the first round, but if Delane is off the board and McCoy’s medical exams check out, adding another starting cornerback is a good idea.
8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Javonte Williams signed a three-year contract extension last month. The Cowboys have their starter, but Love is such a special talent that completely ruling him out seems like a mistake.
9. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The inside linebacker spot is so thin on Dallas’ roster that Allen has to be in play early. Pick 12 is probably too high, but Pick 20 would have to be in consideration. Allen is the type of player and leader who could immediately step in to direct the defense before the snap.
10. Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
The experts’ projections are all over the place with Faulk. Some believe he has great potential. If Parker feels that way, it’s not difficult to see how the Cowboys could use him in a variety of ways up front.
Daily Discussion Question: Do you buy that the Cowboys are going to trade up? If so, for who? Sonny Styles? Or someone else?
