The 2025 NFL draft is practically here, and Dallas Cowboys fans are wondering if Jerry Jones & Co. will have any surprises in store when they head to Green Bay, WI next week.
After all, the Cowboys haven't been strangers to trading up in Round 1 if there's a player they want, having previously made Day 1 deals to draft the likes of running backs Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett, as well as wideout Dez Bryant. Even if it wasn't to move up, America's Team made 71 draft-day trades between 1989 and 2023, according to WFAA's Paul Livengood.
Even though a first-round trade might not be in the cards just yet, the Cowboys have an obvious trade-up partner that no one is talking about.
Cowboys Should Call Patriots About Moving Up to No. 4 Pick
The New England Patriots are one team drafting ahead of the Cowboys and could be open to a pick swap. The Patriots currently hold this year's fourth-overall selection, however, they could be open to trading down if a deal means adding even more prospects who can help brighten the franchise's future.
So, what makes New England an obvious trade partner for Dallas?
Well, the Patriots have been the Cowboys' most common draft-day partner since Jones bought the team over 35 years ago. Dallas and New England have engaged in a whopping seven draft deals since then, including the one that brought Bryant to the Lone Star State in 2010.
The Cowboys also have the ammunition for a move-up. They have picks No. 44 and No. 76 in addition to the 12th-overall selection, as well as various 2026 selections they can throw in as a sweetener. It wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys boasted a combination of picks that is too enticing for the Patriots to turn down.
At the end of the day, the Cowboys have nothing to lose by contacting the Patriots about a potential deal. An aggressive attempt to move up would tell Dallas fans that the front office is serious about competing in the Brian Schottenheimer era, even if New England ultimately decides to stay put.
Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft will take place at Lambeau Field on Thursday, April 24. In other words, it won't be much longer before fans know if the Cowboys and Patriots are ready to strike another draft-day deal.