Dallas Cowboys 2019 Draft: Potential trade up scenarios

Without a first round draft pick, the Dallas Cowboys may aggressively shop for upward trades to land a high value target.

Fresh off the heels of a successful free agency haul, it appears safe to assume the Dallas Cowboys will be in a holding pattern until the draft. Aside from lingering negotiations with DeMarcus Lawrence, the front office has done a nice job assembling a competitive roster even before rookie additions.

In 2014, Dallas forfeited their second and third round pick in exchange for trading up 13 spots in the second round to guarantee Lawrence’s arrival. Finding an instant impact safety or defensive linemen in the coming draft is more difficult with their first pick at 58. Without dire needs at multiple positions, the Cowboys may again seek a trade up swap for a player they really covet.

Trading up naturally requires a willing partner, but it’s fairly easy to predict the potential drafting range by using the draft pick trade value chart. Below are trade up scenarios involving Dallas’ first three selections (58, 90, 128).

SECOND ROUND UPGRADE

PICK 58  (320 points) & PICK 90 (140 points)

By bundling their top two selections, the Cowboys would have 460 points to barter with. Teams trading down require incentive, so an even points swap is unlikely. This package would buy a pick somewhere between 45 and 48.  At worst they could move up ten spots to Miami’s 48 and unearth a gem in the middle of Round Two.

SECOND ROUND UPGRADE 2

PICK 58 (320 points) & PICK 128 (44 points)

If wanting to save their third round selection, Dallas could choose to sweeten the second round pot by dangling their highest fourth round pick (128). The 364 points at stake would land a selection between 54 and 56. Houston owns picks 54 and 55. They may part ways with the lesser one in an agreement not to choose Dallas’ desired player. New England holds pick 56 and likes to deal.

Sacrificing a fourth round selection to move up two to four spots seems foolish. Yet even slight moves early on can make the difference in securing an instant upgrade.

THIRD ROUND UPGRADE

PICK 90 (140 points) & PICK 128 (44 points)

This third trade up scenario involves upgrading the third round drafting location by pairing it with a fourth rounder. 184 points would acquire a pick between 82 and 85.

Three of the four teams in that range are in the AFC and may be more willing to deal than Seattle at 84. Moving up five to eights slots in the third round could be valuable.