3 Teams That Could Tempt Cowboys to Trade Down During the NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys are in a weird spot heading into the 2024 NFL draft. On one hand, the team showed it has contender potential last season. On the other, Dallas' front office refusing to invest in this squad in free agency leaves the roster is a demonstrably worse state.
Throw in the fact there's major uncertainty around both quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy, and the Cowboys may already be preparing for their next era.
If Jerry Jones wants to prepare for a rebuild, trading down in the draft is one option to get additional young talent by exchanging a higher pick for a volume of selections. Here are three teams that could come calling:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
There is an arms race brewing in the AFC after last week's blockbuster trade, which sent star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the upstart Houston Texans.
Houston's aggressive offseason -- which also includes signing stud EDGE Danielle Hunter and trading for Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon -- surely has gotten the attention of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are looking to win the conference and title again.
Kansas City is seen as a clear player for a top wideout in the draft, but picking dead-last at No. 32 in the first round doesn't put Andy Reid's squad in the best position to land an elite WR prospect.
This creates an intriguing opportunity for the Cowboys at No. 24.
Obviously fans would love to see Dallas use this solid asset and land a top player from this class. But, there's also a good chance one of this class' premier offensive tackles -- a position of need for McCarthy's group -- is available where KC is slated to pick right now.
In this scenario, the Cowboys could move down just eight spots, still get their guy, AND receive additional picks from the Chiefs. Something like No. 24 (worth 740 points) for No. 32 (590 points), No. 95 (120 points) and No. 159 (28 points) would be similar in value, according to Pro Football Reference's pick trade value chart.
A deal like that would improve Dallas' war chest with another third-rounder (in addition to No. 87 they also own), which they could use to select a player or include in a package to move up in the first or second rounds.
As long as the offensive lineman interest isn't strong and the Cowboys believe they can land their guy to close the first, this trade features little downside with plenty of rewards.