This is the ninth of a ten part series looking at possible trade scenarios for the Cowboys. For each scenario, we will look at possible trades and then explore mock drafts that could occur from the results of the trade(s). For our ninth article let’s look at a scenario where the Cowboys eventually trade down to the latter half of the first round. Somewhere around 20.
There really does not seem to be one team that has enough second and third round picks to make this a good trade, but the Cowboys could do this by trading back twice in the first round. If they do trade down their first pick twice, I would suspect that they trade other picks up once or twice as well. So let’s look at a possible scenario that could make this happen.
- Dallas trades the 4th pick to Tampa for the 9th, 39th and 74th
- Dallas trades the 9th pick to the Bills for the 19th, 49th and 80th
- Dallas trades the 39th, 74th and 189th to the Kansas City for the 28th
- Dallas trades the 67th and 80th to the Falcons for the 50th
In this scenario the Cowboys would wind up with the 19th, 28th, 34th, 49th, 50th, 101st, 135th, 212th, 216th, and 217th. In this scenario they have 4 of the top 50 picks and 6 of the top 101 picks. This is a scenario that could pay big dividends for the Cowboys.
Let’s look at a few possible scenarios:
| # | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | Dream 1 | Dream 2 |
| 19 | Leonard Floyd (LB/DE) |
Paxton Lynch (QB) |
Eli Apple (CB) |
Reggie Ragland (MLB) |
Shaq Lawson (DE) |
Sheldon Rankins (DT3) |
| 28 | Will Jackson (CB) |
Kevin Dodd (DE) |
Josh Doctson (WR) |
Noah Spence (DE) |
Robert Nkemdiche (DT3) |
Leonard Floyd (DE) |
| 34 | Jonathan Bullard (DT3) |
Will Fuller (WR) |
Emmanuel Ogbah (DE) |
Derrick Henry (RB) |
Josh Doctson (WR) |
Will Jackson (CB) |
| 49 | Michael Thomas (WR) |
Chris Jones (DT3) |
Su’a Cravens (Will) |
Sterling Shepard (WR) |
Cody Whitehair (G) |
Tyler Boyd (WR) |
| 50 | Devontae Booker (RB) |
Artie Burns (CB) |
Connor Cook (QB) |
Artie Burns (CB) |
Artie Burns (CB) |
Derrick Henry (RB) |
| 101 | Darian Thompson (FS) |
Kenyan Drake (WR) |
Jonathan Williams (WR) |
Sheldon Day (DT3) |
CJ Prosise (RB) |
Jordan Jenkins (LB/DE) |
| 135 | Cardale Jones (QB) |
Joe Schobert (ILB) |
Jatavis Brown (MIKE) |
Rashard Robinson (CB) |
Adolphus Washington (DT) |
Dak Prescott (QB) |
| 212 | Keith Marshall (RB) |
Keith Marshall (RB) |
Darius Jackson (RB) |
Kevin Hogan (QB) |
Brandon Allen (QB) |
DeAndre Washington (RB) |
| 216 | Stephen Anderson (FB) |
Stephen Anderson (FB) |
Stephen Anderson (FB) |
Stephen Anderson (FB) |
Stephen Anderson (FB) |
Stephen Anderson (FB) |
| 217 | Avery Young (OT) |
Deiondre’ Hall (FS) |
Jared Norris (ILB) |
Nile Lawrence-Stample (DT) |
Spencer Durango (OT) |
Deon Bush (FS) |
This scenario is a little more complex, but the results are similar to the earlier scenarios. It would allow the Cowboys to get 5 impact players within the top 50 and six within the top 101.
Mock Draft Trade Scenario #1
In our first mock, we get the top edge rusher in the draft. Floyd has the potential to be a 15 sack per year guy. With the second of the first round picks, they get one of the top corners in Jackson. He’s a large, physical and speedy corner who should become the Cowboys number one.
With their three second round picks, the Cowboys select Jonathan Bullard, Michael Thomas, and Devonte Booker. Bullard is a disruptive three technique, Thomas is a long, lanky receiver with great route running abilities. He is exactly the type of receiver Tony Romo likes. Booker is a hard cutting, tough running back that should become a starting running back at some point in the year.
With the two fourth round picks, the Cowboys get a hard hitting, playmaking safety (Thompson) and a strong arm QB to develop (Jones). Overall a good draft.
Mock Draft Trade Scenario #2
In the second mock-up we have the Cowboys taking a QB with their first pick (Paxton Lynch). With their second first round pick, they take Kevin Dodd. Dodd is moving up boards, so he is a good get at 28.
Dallas would then take Fuller, Jones and Burns with the three second round picks. Will Fuller is a dynamic speed receiver who can also run good dig routes. Chris Jones is a disruptive three technique who is slated to go in the 40 – 50 range. Artie Burns is a solid corner with length and speed.
With the two fourth round picks the Cowboys would pick up Kenyon Drake, a versatile third down back who can also run the stretch effectively and play slot and Joe Schobert, a play making linebacker with blitzing capability from the inside.
Mock Draft Trade Scenario #3
In the third scenario, in the first round the Cowboys would get Eli Apple, a top corner prospect, and Doctson, a receiver rising up the boards. With the three second round picks, Dallas would grab an athletic DE (Ogbah), a LB with freakish athletic abilities (Cravens), and a quarterback to groom in Cook.
With the two fourth round picks they would get Jonathan Williams, a tough running back, and Jatavis Brown, a smaller linebacker who can run, cover and hit.
Mock Draft Trade Scenario #4
Moving onto the fourth mock, the Cowboys draft a middle linebacker of the future (Ragland) and they would get a pass rushing specialist (Spence). With their three second round picks they draft a starting caliber running back with home run capability (Henry), a dynamic, route running receiver who can play slot and on the outside (Shepard), and then they get an athletic corner (Burns).
With the two forth round picks they get a quick pass rushing three technique (Day) and a tall, lanky corner with a high upside and a troubled past. It’s a risk reward pick.
Dream Mock Draft Trade Scenarios
Our dream picks are not out of the realm of possibility. Shaq is falling down some boards, so he could be there at 19 (Although I doubt it). Each player is a few spots from where they are predicted, but the cards could fall into place. No one player is so far form their projected spot that it couldn’t wind up happening.
The dream too mock is my favorite. If the Cowboys could pull off that draft, we should compete for a deep run this year (assuming Romo’s health).
What do you think of the scenarios?
Would you trade down? Once? Twice? If so, who would you take in your mock? Let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.
