Potential Draft Day Trade Partners for the Dallas Cowboys

Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner

(left) with his son, executive vice president Stephen Jones prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are no stranger to making trades on draft day.  Last year, a deal with the 49ers landed them Travis Frederick (at pick 31) and Terrance Williams (74) for the number 18 pick.  This year, unfortunately, the ‘Boys find themselves in roughly the same draft spot – 16 or 17 depending on a coin flip with the Ravens during the Combine.

Many want the Cowboys to keep the pick, but trading may be the better option here, seeing as how there are multiple weaknesses to be addressed.  If we do trade, who could we trade with?  Below is a list of potential suitors.

Lions – 10th pick

It’s much more likely that the Cowboys move down in the draft, as the team is in need of depth and would be happy with extra picks.  However, Dallas may be interested to make a move and grab the best defensive lineman on the board before teams like the Bears and Steelers come up.  Also, if the top 10 is filled with Quarterbacks and Linebackers, as it is projected, then there is a chance that a top defensive player (yes, maybe Jadeveon Clowney) falls.  If that is the case, the Detroit Lions are probably the only team who would consider moving down.

Most people have the Lions taking Wide Receiver Mike Evans at this spot to compliment Calvin Johnson.  This is a good possibility, but there’s also a  good chance that they fall in love with a different receiver (perhaps Marquise Lee) or even look to grab someone at a different positional need, like Tight End, Offensive Line or just about anything in the Secondary.  This draft is pretty stocked, so a team like the Lions which has many starters already set may be comfortable moving down

Chiefs – 23rd pick

Sep 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Marqise Lee (9) catches a pass against the Utah State Aggies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Utah State 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City has a lot of good pieces, but two weaknesses stand out: Wide Receiver and defensive depth.  The WR issue is obvious: Dwayne Bowe is great, but inconsistent.  In any event, he needs a compliment.  Sure, Donnie Avery came up big multiple times (especially against the Cowboys), but the 30 year old is far from a long-term solution.  Former 1st round Wide Receiver Jon Baldwin did not work out, as indicated by his trade to the 49ers, so the Chiefs may be hesitant to pull the trigger on one so early again.  Thus, they may look to pick up a nice DE to pair alongside Dontari Poe, or another solid linebacker to join Justin Houston and Tamba Hali.  Given that the middle of the first round is likely to see a lot of pass-catchers and pass-rushers fly off the board, it may be in the best interest for the pride of Arrowhead to move up.

Bengals – 24th pick

The Bengals’ predicament is similar to that of the Chiefs.  They have a star Wide Receiver who needs a compliment, and could use some defensive depth up front.  Again, it’s not that they wouldn’t be comfortable picking at 24, it’s just that 2014 is likely to feature many receivers and pass-rushers off the board in picks 10-20.  So, in order to secure the player they covet, they may look to slip into the 16/17th pick.

Broncos – 31st pick

Ironically, the 31st pick may once again belong to the Dallas Cowboys, as the Super Bowl runner-ups may be willing to go out of their way for that one missing piece.  Even more ironically, they may be looking to grab a Safety, just as the 49ers did when they traded with Dallas last year.  The Broncos have several needs going into the off-season, but no one could forget the major points given up by its Secondary in each of the last two seasons.  If either Ha’Shean Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor are still on the board at 16/17, Elway may be callin’ Jerry.

 Who, if anybody, do you think the Cowboys might trade with on draft day?  What are your overall hopes this coming April?  Sound off in the comments below!