Dallas Cowboys draft: Trading back into first round costly

The Dallas Cowboys traded away their 2019 first round selection for Amari Cooper. If they want to trade back into Day One, it would be costly.

The Dallas Cowboys choose to trade away their first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft to the Oakland Raiders last season for wide receiver Amari Cooper. It was a move that catapulted the Cowboys from a 3-5 record to 10-6, securing the NFC East crown and winning their first playoff game since 2014.

Cooper was invited to his third Pro Bowl in four years. And the 24-year old wideout figures to be a member of America’s Team for the foreseeable future. In the Cowboys’ eyes, they’ve already found their first rounder. He just happens to have four years of NFL experience under his belt already.

But Day One of the NFL draft does figure to be a dull day for the Cowboys and their fans. Without a selection in the first round, Dallas figures to be twiddling their thumbs, watching prospect after prospect get taken off their board. At this point, it is going to be a long, boring wait for the Cowboys’ first pick, that selection being late in the second round, 59th overall.

But what if the Cowboys covet a player in the first round? Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has a history of wheeling and dealing during the draft. Dallas trying to trade themselves back into Day One is something most expect Jones to try and do. But trading that far up would certainly be costly.

In the 2018 draft, the Baltimore Ravens traded back into the first round to selected Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson 32nd overall. It cost them two second-round picks and swapping fourth rounders to move up just 20 spots.

According to the Draft Trade Chart via Drafttek.com, first used by former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson, Dallas’ second-round pick in 2019 is worth 310 points. The last pick in the first round, 32nd overall, is worth 590 points. So the Cowboys would likely have to give up the equivalent of two second rounders in order to move into the bottom of the first round.

Here’s how DallasCowboys.com staff writer Rob Phillips responded to a mailbag question about the team possibly trading back up into the first round …

"“Hard to see that happening because their second-round pick is a late one. But you can’t rule anything out because Jerry Jones and the front office likes to keep their options open on draft weekend. Moving back in might require you to dip into next year’s draft, though – possibly your first.”"

Unless they absolutely fall in love with a player, it seems unlikely the Dallas Cowboys would be willing to give up what it would take to trade back into the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Still, with this front office, anything is possible.