With the 2025 season now in the books, it's clear that the Dallas Cowboys fleeced the Pittsburgh Steelers when they traded for George Pickens last May.
Could the Cowboys look to the trade market again this offseason to address some of their need? A new revelation from ESPN's Adam Schefter will only add to that possibility.
On The Adam Schefter Podcast, Schefter said he's heard the respective free agency and draft classes aren't moving the needle for a lot of teams, which could open the door for more trades.
"With this free agent class in the eyes of some considered to be a little bit subpar, and with this draft class considered to be, in the eyes of some, a little subpar, it wouldn't surprise me if we saw an uptick in trade activity, whatever that means, however that plays out," Schefter said.
Adam Schefter's latest intel could be exactly what the Dallas Cowboys need
If Schefter’s read on the league is accurate, that would be significant. The sense he’s getting from executives is that this year’s class simply lacks blue-chip prospects. which could explain the hesitation from general managers.
Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones has echoed the possibility of trading one or both of the team's first-round picks. Slotted at No. 12 and No. 20 overall, they are in a great position to do that. Jerry Jones has been flirting with that idea from the day he dealt Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
Jerry hilariously compared the Parsons move to the infamous Herschel Walker trade in 1989, so we know the thought has been on his mind for a while. Even if the Joneses don't take the leap of faith and leverage one of their picks for an impact player, they will still have a wealth of options to choose from on draft night.
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane could replace Trevon Diggs. If Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is on the board, drafting him would be a no-brainer. They can also solve their pass-rushing woes by grabbing Miami's Akheem Mesidor or Texas A&M's Cashius Howell with the 20th pick.
The NFL is widely considered a copycat league. All it takes is one GM to stir up a trade frenzy during free agency. Whether Jerry or another executive makes the first move, the rest of the league should follow suit.