It may be only Week 2, but every week of this season helps determine the eventual 2027 NFL Draft order. The Dallas Cowboys aren't just concerned with their own picks next April; they also own picks from Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Houston.
Given that, we're going to track how the Packers, Steelers, and Texans are doing each week and how that's helping or hurting the value of the picks.
Cowboys will rely heavily on traded-for picks in 2027
These other picks matter even more because they make up a big chunk of the Cowboys' total draft arsenal. Here's a quick reminder of Dallas' current 2027 allotment:
- 1st Round - Original pick
- 1st Round - Packers pick (Micah Parsons trade)
- 2nd Round - Original pick
- 4th Round - Steelers pick (Broderick Jones trade)
- 6th Round - Original pick
- 7th Round - Texans pick (Nate Thomas trade)
The Steelers own Dallas' third and fifth-rounders. The third is from the Broderick Jones trade a couple of weeks ago, and the fifth is from Dallas acquiring George Pickens last year. The Cowboys' original fourth belongs to Green Bay from the Rashan Gary trade, and our original seventh was part of a pick swap with Philly last April.
Also, remember, the better of those two first-round picks is promised to the New York Jets from the Quinnen Williams trade. So in reality, Dallas only has five picks right now in 2027. This means the Packers, Steelers, and Texans may decide more about our overall pick value than we do.
How did the Packers, Steelers and Texans do in Week 1?
The Packers got embarrassed in a road loss to the Vikings. An early injury to Minnesota QB Kyler Murray opened the door for old buddy Carson Wentz, who scored three touchdowns in a shocking blowout. It made Green Bay the only NFC North team at 0-1 after the first week.
It was a road loss against a division rival, so who knows what that means going forward for the Packers. All we know is that wherever Dallas finishes this year, we just want Green Bay to finish a teensy bit worse so the Jets get their first-round pick.
Houston also dropped their season opener, this one a home game against Buffalo. The Texans hung with the Bills throughout the game, but their vaunted had no answer for Josh Allen.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh got away with one in a home win over a handicapped Falcons team. Despite Cooper Rush starting at QB for an injured Tua Tagovailoa and dealing with his own back issue, Atlanta kept it to within a touchdown. Whoever the Steelers play next week should give them a better test.
What's next for Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Houston in Week 2?
Green Bay stays on the road, this time heading to New York to face the Jets. While this is usually good news when a team is looking for a victory, the Jets had an impressive road win last Sunday against the Titans. If Aaron Glenn has figured some things out this year, maybe they can put the Packers in the dreaded 0-2 hole.
Pittsburgh will indeed get that tougher test we just asked for, a road game against the pissed-off Patriots. You know New England will be fired up after their loss to Seattle, and have 10 days of rest to go with it. Let's hope they take out all their frustrations on Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers.
Houston's defense won't get a break in Week 2, now facing Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and the rest of the Bengals. Dropping two home games to start this year would be an awful sign for the Texans' long-term outlook this season.
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