Excitement and anxiety are building as the Dallas Cowboys put the finishing touches on their preparation for the NFL Draft on April 23. While they might be entering the home stretch, it's impossible to predict what trick(s) they have up their sleeve.
Just like there is only so much stock that can be put into 30 visits, final mocks from draft experts can only offer so much insight.
To their credit, Brian Schottenheimer, Jerry Jones, and Stephen Jones have been careful not to tip their hand. When Stephen Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, he stayed calculated in discussing the draft, but was candid about how many first-round grades the Cowboys have. (h/t Nick Harris, The Star-Telegram)
“It’s still a little early. Usually, we’re in that 16-22 range. I don’t know that we’ll get there this year in terms of the 20s, but we’re grinding out right now, and we haven’t put the final grades on anything.”
If that doesn't incentivize Dallas to trade up from No. 12, then nothing will.
The Dallas Cowboys have to trade up in the NFL Draft after Stephen Jones' comments
It's almost an obligation for Jones to say the Cowboys haven't finalized their grades. The 2026 class has some depth to it, but it's not considered a strong draft by any stretch of the imagination. There's going to be a lot of first-round picks that would likely slide to Day 2 in most years.
If Dallas has around 20 first-round grades, it would make sense to hold firm at No. 12. After all, it was only five years ago that Micah Parsons fell to them at that exact spot.
Looking at recent drafts, future stars like Jared Verse, Quinyon Mitchell, Brock Bowers, Tyler Warren, Gray Zabel, Christian Gonzalez, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were all available at No. 12 or later.
Assuming the top defenders go early, the best players available at No. 12 could include Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, and Auburn edge Keldric Faulk. McCoy is arguably the top CB in the class, but he doesn't appear to be on the Cowboys' radar due to medical concerns.
Regardless of where Dallas stands on McCoy, that selection of players isn't too appetizing for the 12th overall pick.
Whether it’s No. 9 (Chiefs), No. 8 (Saints), or No. 6 (Browns), a trade up would give Dallas a real shot at landing one of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Miami edge Rueben Bain, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
While moving up to No. 6 would likely cost both first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20), the Cowboys would likely get Cleveland’s second-round pick (No. 39 overall) in return. That's a fair price for both teams.
No matter the partner, there is growing buzz that Dallas will trade up on draft night. Stephen Jones' admission about this class will only make it louder.
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