There has been one, and only one, underlying Dallas Cowboys theme since the start of the legal tampering period on Monday: acquiring former first-round picks by any means necessary.
It started with the signing of pass-rusher Payton Turner, who was drafted No. 28 overall by the Saints in 2021. Injuries have limited Turner to 31 games in four years, but he managed to stay healthy last season and tallied two sacks and two forced fumbles apiece.
Little did Cowboys fans know that was the start of an alarming trend. Within hours on Wednesday, Dallas struck trades for cornerback Kaiir Elam, a former No. 23 pick of the Bills, and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., whom the Chargers also took 23rd overall in 2020.
Whether it's via a trade or free agency, sheer math suggests the Joneses will acquire another former first-rounder this offseason. Coincidentally enough that opportunity has presented itself thanks to the Minnesota Vikings.
Cowboys can sign former Vikings first-round pick Garrett Bradbury if he's released
The Vikings have not officially released Garrett Bradbury yet, but they are planning to do so if they can't find a trade partner, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It seems unlikely at this rate that Minnesota will be able to trade Bradbury, their No. 18 overall pick in 2019.
Of course another team is trying to offload a former first-round pick.
If the Cowboys are interested in Bradbury they can't give in to their temptation. It looks increasingly likely that Bradbury will get released. Even though the cost would be minimal, it wouldn't make any sense to give up draft capital for a player who may only cost cash if they just wait a little longer.
Related: Latest details in Kenneth Murray Jr. trade will make Cowboys fans sick
It just so happens that Dallas has a need on the interior of their offensive line after Zack Martin announced his retirement.
Bradbury has started 88 games at center in his career. He's played at least 800 snaps every year since he was drafted. The only problem? Bradbury might be the worst pass-blocking center in the league. He allowed the most pressures of any center in 2024, per PFF, and has had a PFF pass-blocking grade under 50.0 in four of his six seasons.
While Bradbury can run block with the best of them, this is a former first-round pick Dallas should probably steer clear of. It is duly noted that Bradbury is more accomplished than Murray, Elam and Turner in terms of career starts, but offensive line is the one position group on the roster that actually has adequate depth.
Hopefully the Joneses don't let their first-round fixation get the best of them again.
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