Dallas Cowboys 2020 NFL Draft: Pick 17 has high trade potential
By Brad Austin
![COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Javon Kinlaw #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Javon Kinlaw #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1186599595-1-850x560-8718248d6aa560c3c04fe7aea1cfa8435baf02173b905bbf9cc02c0dd7660a0e.jpg)
The Dallas Cowboys 17th selection rests just beyond elite talent, yet starting caliber players will remain after the slot. Welcome to prime trade territory.
The Dallas Cowboys annually assign true first round grades to 14-18 players in any given draft. These elite players, if acquired, would carry expectations of becoming star players for the organization going forward, in most cases right away.
The 2020 NFL Draft tonight is no different. Personally, I have designated 15 players as true first round talents. Many of these are either unreachable or play a position the Cowboys have no reasonable need to make a high draft investment.
Naturally, few drafts go as expected. A curveball overreach or an unforeseen slide of an elite talent is not unusual. Since Dallas’ 17th pick rests just beyond these elite 15 players, there is a significantly higher chance of a trade.
It’s very likely an elite talent at a need position will make it to Picks 14-16. On the flip side, legitimate, starting caliber talent will remain available later in the round. These two realities combined place the 17th selection in prime trade territory.