As long as he can work out a contract renegotiation with the Broncos it appears that Colin Kaepernick will soon be traded to Denver by the San Francisco 49ers. If this happens there could be a ripple effect that impacts the Dallas Cowboys’ upcoming draft strategy.
Let’s quickly recap where teams are picking in first round. I’m going through the 15th pick as they include some other teams who could get involved. I’ve also included the picks from my last mock draft:
| 1. Titans – Laremy Tunsil, OT 2. Browns – Carson Wentz, QB 3. Chargers – Jalen Ramsey, DB 4. Cowboys – Myles Jack, LB 5. Jaguars – Joey Bosa, DE 6. Ravens – DeForest Buckner, DL 7. 49ers – Jared Goff, QB 8. Eagles – Ezekiel Elliott, RB |
9. Bucs – Emmanuel Ogbah, DE 10. Giants – Ronnie Stanley, OT 11. Bears – Vernon Hargreaves, CB 12. Saints – Laquon Treadwell, WR 13. Dolphins – Shaq Lawson, DE 14. Raiders – Eli Apple, CB 15. Rams – Reggie Ragland, LB |
I’ve also highlighted the Saints and Rams because they could be factors in what happens. The 49ers should be going hard after a quarterback, assuming Chip Kelly’s irrational evaluating doesn’t have him in love with Blaine Gabbert. He can’t be that stupid, right?
Oh, sorry guys.
Let’s move along with the theory that Kelly wants a new quarterback in San Francisco. Here are some different scenarios that could happen which concern Dallas directly:
1. 49ers Trade Up to the 3rd Pick
In my last mock I had Goff falling to the Niners at their original 7th pick, which works great for them. However, they may have concerns that the Saints or Rams could try and move ahead of them.
New Orleans could move up into the #4-6 range using their second-round pick in addition to their first. Drew Brees is 37-years-old and his contract expires this year. Sean Payton could see this as a golden opportunity to get Brees’ replacement.
Los Angeles (oh, you know I typed “St. Louis” the first time) clearly needs a new quarterback with their Foles-Keenum-Mannion poo poo platter. They may have to give up next year’s first rounder to move into range for Goff or Wentz, but it wasn’t long ago that they got an extra first from Washington in the Robert Griffen deal. Wanting to bring excitement to their new city, the Rams could be extra motivated to make a big move.
So, fearing trade ups from one of these QB-needy teams, the Niners may send an extra pick San Diego’s way to get into that third spot. They could view any of teams from #4-#6, including the Cowboys, as potential trade partners for the Saints or Rams and work to get ahead of the pack.
Cowboys Impact: If the Niners move up to #3 to take a quarterback then, in the mock draft I posted, it pushes Jalen Ramsey down to Dallas. The consensus right now is that Ramsey is the top player on Dallas’ board but he seems to be going in the top three picks in almost every projection. They will likely need help to land him and this is starting to look like the best possible scenario to get the assist.
2. 49ers Trade Up to Dallas’ #4 Pick
Not expecting the Chargers to take a quarterback, the Niners could call the Cowboys to make a move. Dallas would demand, at the least, the Niners’ 3rd-round pick and could probably get their 2nd-round pick in the deal.
Dropping to the 7th pick would put several useful players in range for Dallas; Ezekiel Elliott, Vernon Hargreaves, or one of the several defensive end options. There’s even a good chance that Myles Jack could still be there and they’d now have an extra Friday pick to work with. How’d you like that savvy move?
3. Cowboys Trade Up to #2 Pick
If Dallas wants a quarterback then they may have to consider this deal. The Browns may be willing to move after signing RG3 and needing lots of pieces to build their team.
Even if Dallas doesn’t think Cleveland is going to take a QB, they could still make this move if they’re worried someone will slide up to San Diego’s spot and take the guy they want. The Cowboys are only going to draft a quarterback that they truly love and they may not want to risk that guy being snatched away from them. Whether it’s Goff or Wentz, Dallas may make an aggressive move to get them.
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These are the three major possibilities that the Kaepernick-to-Denver trade could lead to for Dallas. While the current order could hold and things unfold about the way my mock draft said, something about wheeling-dealing Chip Kelly in San Francisco makes me think that a shake-up is coming.
How much Dallas stands to profit from any 49ers activity depends on their own desire for a quarterback. If they want one, San Francisco becomes a problem. If not, Dallas stand to profit from whatever moves Chip makes.
It’s just another level of intrigue in the ever-entertaining draft process.
Or there's the possibility that Paxton Lynch falls through the 1st round because Broncos won't pick a quarterback now. Then Dallas completes two goals. Solidify the defense and then get your future quarterback.
Great point, Travis! I'm not a big Lynch fan but if the Cowboys like him then that could work out really well for the 34th pick. Good insight.
If that happens, I'm all for Lynch at #34. Easily a solid pick up. Great point, Travis.
Since Jalen Ramsey is my preferred pick, I would love for the 49ers to believe they need to trade up to #3 in order to get Goff (assuming Wentz goes to Cleveland). If nothing else, trading away Kaepernick heightens their need for a quarterback into "desperate" territory.
My concern is that Jerry Jones has been trying his hardest to get everyone to believe the Cowboys will not consider a quarterback at #4. Now, I would argue that anyone with a pulse should be able to see that this is a smokescreen, because there's no strategic purpose for this unless you do indeed want a quarterback at #4. Even still, it's a matter of whether people truly believe what Jerry is saying or not. It's easy for me to say it's obviously a smokescreen, but the 49ers would have to be willing to bet probably a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick on that belief. Makes it a little more complicated.
At the very least, the Kaep trade makes the Cowboys' 1st round situation a lot more interesting.
Jerry's reached a point that's kind of awesome. Once people question if you really know what you're doing, you become that much harder to predict. LOL
That's the thing. As I've said to you many times, Jerry "knows how to play the game," so the easy assumption here is that he's lying (which he has been known to do) but how much are you willing to BET that he's lying? That's harder to do. LOL
I've been saying it for the last 3 years, since he sort of reigned in his glutinous ramblings with the media a bit… the more Jerry Jones says, the less anyone knows what the Cowboys are doing/going to do. It's a classic misinformation campaign, and few do it as well as Jerry in the NFL. So damned frustrating haha
Great piece Jess…I love what-if scenarios. I do have to ask where the statement comes from "the consensus right now is that Ramsey is at the top of the Cowboys board" comes from. The media and the so-called draft experts saying that doesn't make it so. And I'm very sure that the Dallas FO has not said anything to tip the media off. I honestly don't think anyone knows who is at the top of their board. Sorry Jess I'm a little bit of a literalist.
Well, when I said that I thought it being the media and "experts" was implied; the consensus OPINION of all the analysts and commentators. Obviously we don't know who truly is on the top of Dallas' board but we're not supposed to at this juncture.
Looks like you removed my post.
Nope. Nothing removed. Only douche bags get clipped here, and you're not. Is this the comment you were talking about? http://prntscr.com/ao8yju
I get that Jalen Ramsey is considered a top prospect by many pundits and/or mock drafts but for some reason I just think CB is too high for the #4 spot. What if they get him & works out but there's still no pass rush, which Dallas obviously needs BIG time, Ramsey may end up getting burned more often than not…legitimate concern??? We're all hoping they won't screw this draft up!
Dallas is all about getting the best talent they can in the draft. The DE spot is pretty deep in this draft and they probably feel that someone who will be there at their #34 pick will be able to help them. Nobody is glowing about Bosa or Buckner the way they are about Ramsey. And let's face it… Scandrick, Carr, and Claiborne aren't the greatest trio of corners ever. We need help there, too.