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Dallas Cowboys: Should the Cowboys trade up during the 2018 NFL Draft?

By Carl Daley

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the sidelines before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the sidelines before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys have some big needs heading into the 2018 NFL Draft. The team could look to trade up in the early rounds to secure their targets.

The Dallas Cowboys draft strategy is not really known at this time. Will they go after a linebacker early or will the wide receiver position be their main focus? It is tough what they want to do as the team continues to prepare for the draft.

The Cowboys clearly need linebackers to replace Kyle Wilber and Anthony Hitchens but they also could use another crop of young wide receivers to help make this offense more “Dak friendly”. Then there is the argument that Dallas should trade up during the draft so they can land a top 10 player.

This seems short-sighted sighted to me as trading up in the first round is incredibly expensive.

The Dallas Cowboys could be more interested in trading up during the second round as not only have they done this before it is much more affordable. Spending a high pick on a player who will be one of your starting linebackers makes more sense than losing high quality picks to trade up for a safety or offensive lineman.

If the Dallas Cowboys play the draft the right way they could end up with two potential first round picks. Trading up to the third spot in the second round is essentially like adding a pick at the end of the first round.

The Cleveland Browns would make great trade targets and will still be in range for some of the better wide receivers on draft boards. Personally, I would like to see the Cowboys go all in on the wide receiver position this year spending three picks on the position alone.

Realistically this could (and should) be done as Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams, and Dez Bryant are all not a lock for the 2019 season. Drafting a guy like Trey Quinn late would address the Beasley situation and to a lesser extent the situation for Ryan Switzer if he cannot figure out a way to become productive in this offense.

Drafting a guy like Tre’Quan Smith in the fourth round would be an upgrade to Williams as he has not panned out as a true number two receiver. That leaves Dallas spending either a first or second on a top-tier wide receiver who can slowly work his way into Bryant’s spot.

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The perfect player in mind for this would be D.J. Moore as he is a different kind of receiver who is one of the most productive receiving prospects in this years draft class. If the Dallas Cowboys do indeed look to select a linebacker or defensive player in the first round trading up in the second becomes almost a necessity.

Giving up a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick would not be that bad if it nets you a player like Moore, Courtland Sutton, or Christian Kirk. Genuinely the Cowboys will just be happy to get a productive wide receiver, best case scenario they select the best of the bunch in Moore but there is no worst-case scenario.

Next: Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft V4.1: Draft visits edition

If the Cowboys see anyone of those players on the board to start the second round they must trade up to acquire them if they hope to really revitalize this offense.

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