What are the main roster needs for the Dallas Cowboys as they approach the NFL draft? How might a trade with the Denver Broncos benefit both teams involved? What potential players could the Cowboys target if they successfully execute a trade to acquire the 20th pick? How has the Cowboys’ trading strategy in previous drafts influenced their current approach for 2025? What factors could impact the decision-making process regarding Ashton Jeanty and other running back prospects?
Cowboys fans have been obsessing for months—and will continue to for another three weeks—over who the team should select with the 12th overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The roster needs are certainly plenty: running back, wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line, even defensive line, to name just the biggies. Grabbing an elite talent in the first half of the first round is indeed a tantalizing notion, a silver lining that makes the previous year’s disappointing 7-10 finish a little easier to stomach. But Jerry Jones & Co. have shown themselves more than willing, especially in recent years, to slide back just a few spots in the opening round in a trade. The idea, of course, is to let some other eager team jump the line to get their guy—usually with at least a gut feeling that it’s not who the Cowboys were targeting—while still ending up with a top option… and also collecting extra draft capital to use somewhere down the line. NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter believes they should go to that well again in 2025.
In a list of six win-win first-round trades teams should make, Reuter’s first order of hypothetical business is a deal between Dallas and Denver that leaves both clubs in better shape than they currently are. The Cowboys and Broncos should swap first-rounders, Reuter says, with Denver taking over the 12th overall pick and also getting Dallas’s fifth-rounder, No. 149. The Cowboys get the 20th pick plus an additional second-rounder, No. 51, to go with the 44th overall selection they already own. With the 12th pick, Broncos head coach Sean Payton would likely have his choice of this year’s two premier tight ends, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. He could also look at wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) and Matthew Golden (Texas), he writes, "if Courtland Sutton is not in the team’s plan past his upcoming contract season."
Granted, McMillan and Golden are probably high on Dallas’s big board, too, given the Cowboys’ need for an upgraded pass-catching threat opposite CeeDee Lamb. But Reuter suggests there’s a good chance Golden or Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) would still be there for the team to take with the 20th pick obtained from Denver. Dallas would no doubt be thrilled with either player. But, of course, they also get an extra early pick in the process. That strategy worked out beautifully in 2021. The Cowboys originally held the 10th pick, but traded it to Philadelphia in exchange for the 12th overall selection plus a third-rounder. They ended up with Micah Parsons and Chauncey Golston. The Cowboys did it again last year, dropping from 24th to 29th in a deal with Detroit. Dallas still got Tyler Guyton plus a third-rounder that they used on Cooper Beebe, and it cost them just a seventh-round pick this year.
Reuter points out that the entire scenario may hinge on Ashton Jeanty’s availability. If the Boise State running back is there for the taking when Dallas is on the clock with the 12th pick, then all bets may be off. The need for a top-flight workhorse back is too important to head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive plans, and Jeanty may be simply too intriguing a prospect to pass on if he’s there. But, Reuter acknowledges, if the Cowboys thought they could do this deal and come away with North Carolina ballcarrier Omarion Hampton at 20… and then still get one of the top receivers with their 44th overall pick… and still have another second-rounder with that 51st from Denver? Forget win-win. That might actually be a win-win-win for the 2025 Cowboys.
Proposed Cowboys-Broncos Trade Gives Dallas 3 of Top 51 Draft Picks: A Game-Changer for America’s Team
In the world of the NFL, few things evoke as much excitement and speculation as the offseason. For fans, analysts, and franchises alike, this period presents an opportunity to reshape rosters through trades and the draft. One of the most talked-about potential trades of this offseason involves the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos, which could significantly impact both franchises, particularly for the Cowboys, who would secure three of the top 51 draft picks.
The Current Landscape
For the Dallas Cowboys, the 2023 NFL season has been a mixed bag. Despite fielding a talented team, questions around quarterback Dak Prescott’s consistency and the Cowboys’ overall playoff performance have led to discussions about rejuvenating the roster. Meanwhile, the Broncos, fresh off a rocky season under Sean Payton’s new regime, are aiming to rebuild and re-establish their competitive edge in the AFC West.
The proposed trade would send several key players and possible draft picks from Denver to Dallas, which would in return bolster the Cowboys’ position in the upcoming draft. This trade would not only secure Dallas a deeper draft capital but also afford them a unique opportunity to address several glaring needs.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Dallas
Draft Capital and Flexibility:
If this trade comes to fruition, the Cowboys would find themselves with three picks within the top 51 selections of the draft. With the NFL Draft regarded as one of the most pivotal times for teams to strengthen their rosters, having this extended selection power can lead to immediate benefits. The Cowboys can target top prospects, whether they need a franchise-altering player or depth across various positions.Addressing Key Needs:
Dallas has a few areas that require urgent attention, such as offensive line depth, secondary reinforcements, and potentially looking for Prescott’s successor as he navigates his career’s twilight years. Accumulating high picks allows the front office to be more aggressive in their approach, targeting players that fit their system and addressing weaknesses effectively.- Maintaining Competitiveness:
As the NFC East grows increasingly competitive, with teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants making significant strides, the Cowboys cannot afford to fall behind. This trade could provide the necessary pieces to ensure they remain relevant in playoff contention.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Denver
While the primary focus here is on the Cowboys, it is crucial to consider the implications for the Broncos. Denver entered the offseason looking to turn the tide after a disappointing performance in the 2022 season.
Rebuilding the Roster:
Denver’s potential deal with the Cowboys could signal a commitment to rebuilding. By acquiring draft picks, the Broncos could focus on selecting top-tier talent that can contribute to their future. This trade could allow them to draft key players to support their young quarterback, Russell Wilson, while simultaneously addressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.- Financial Flexibility:
Moving on from certain high-paid players can give the Broncos breathing room from a salary cap perspective. The NFL’s financial landscape is ever-changing, and making strategic trades like this could allow them to reshuffle their budget for longevity and build a more sustainable competitive team.
Potential Risks and Considerations
As is the case with any trade, there are inherent risks that both teams will need to weigh. For the Cowboys, giving up established talent could lead to short-term performance dips, especially if they rely too heavily on rookies to make an immediate impact. Dallas must ensure that they are not sacrificing depth for the sake of acquiring draft picks.
For the Broncos, trading with a division rival like the Cowboys may have long-term consequences if the players they deal become stars. In the NFL, draft picks can be a gamble; sometimes, what seems like a high-value pick may not pan out, while low-round selections can emerge as stars.
Final Thoughts
The proposed Cowboys-Broncos trade that would leave Dallas with three of the top 51 picks in the league is more than just an offseason rumor—it represents a pivotal moment of potential transformation for both franchises. As the Cowboys look to strengthen their core and secure a brighter, more competitive future, they must remain aware of the risks involved.
Ultimately, the success of this trade would be measured not only in the immediate effects on the 2023 season but also through the lens of long-term roster building. With the right choices, Dallas could reshape its trajectory entirely, while Denver seeks its revival in an increasingly competitive league. The offseason draws closer, and anticipation builds—as always, the drama of the NFL never fails to deliver.
In a recent proposal, a trade between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos could significantly shape the Cowboys’ draft strategy. By acquiring a deal that allows Dallas to secure three of the top 51 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, the team could bolster its roster with talent in critical areas.
This potential trade could provide the Cowboys with the opportunity to address key positional needs, whether it be in the offensive line, defensive backfield, or even at skill positions like wide receiver or running back. The added draft capital would enable them to select high-impact players or leverage those picks for additional trades.
Overall, such a move would reflect a strategic approach by the Cowboys’ management to enhance their competitiveness in the league while preparing for the future. The spotlight will be on how they utilize these picks effectively to drive the team forward.