NFL Rumors: AFC contender could help Cowboys pull off perfect draft

The NFL Draft is just over a week away, and there’s still no semblance of clarity in regard to what the Dallas Cowboys will do in the first round.

Equipped with the No. 26 overall pick, Dallas could take the best player available or draft for need as long as they don’t reach too much. Tight ends Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid have prominently been linked with Dallas this month, but defensive tackle, receiver and running back are all positions that could be in play.

Depending on who’s available, they could invest further in the offensive line or take an edge rusher if a certain prospect falls.

One idea that hasn’t established much traction, though, is trading back.

The Cowboys have a history of trading up in the draft. Their moves for Emmitt Smith, Dez Bryant, and Demarcus Lawrence are some of Jerry Jones’ best work as de facto general manager, but the 2023 draft presents a golden opportunity for the owner to consider moving back.

After moving up in the 2022 draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller believes the Chiefs are once again mulling jumping up from No. 31 overall.

NFL Rumors: Could Chiefs and Cowboys pull off trade in 2023 NFL Draft?

"“With 10 total picks, I expect them to be aggressive throughout draft weekend. General manager Brett Veach can use that capital to move around the board. One NFC exec said he expects Veach to try to climb higher in Round 1 to secure a marquee player, and wide receiver and defensive line are their biggest areas of need,” Miller wrote."

As we noted, the Chiefs traded up in last year’s draft to select Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie. We all know history tends to repeat itself. As the reigning champs and favorites to repeat with a whopping 10 picks at their disposal, Kansas City trading up for a premium prospect makes total sense.

The Cowboys love to let the board fall to them. Why not double down on that by trading back to the final pick of the first round while securing (likely) a third-round pick in the process? The team doesn’t have a pressing Round 1 need and they should still have their pick of the prospect litter five picks later.

Going based solely off Mel Kiper’s latest mock, Iowa State edge Will McDonald, TCU receiver Quentin Johnston, Michigan IDL Mazi Smith, Georgia TE Darnell Washington, Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs, and Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison are some names that could be available at pick No. 31.

Dallas is likely considering most of those players at No. 26 anyway. If they could grab one of them while netting an extra third-rounder after they traded away three picks for Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore, they have to consider it, no?

It doesn’t even have to be the Chiefs.

The Cowboys’ braintrust should be working the phones like sales reps throughout the first round to see if a move is attainable.

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