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2020 NFL Draft: Should Cowboys Trade Up in 2nd Round; What’s the Cost?

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We’re still basking in the glow of the Dallas Cowboys landing WR CeeDee Lamb at the 17th pick last night. But rather than hope another great talent falls to them in the 2nd Round, should the Cowboys consider trading up to draft one of the best available players at cornerback, safety, or defensive end?

We went into the 2020 NFL Draft with defensive backs, receivers, and pass rushers the consensus top needs for the Cowboys. They satisfied that WR need in a big way in the 1st Round, and now it’s time to turn their full attention to the defense.

Fortunately, there are still some players available that we might’ve been okay with Dallas drafting at #17 last night, or at least trading down for:

  • DE A.J. Epenesa, Yetur Gross-Matos
  • CB Kristian Fulton, Jaylon Johnson, Trevon Diggs
  • S: Xavier McKinney, Grant Delpit

The Cowboys’ 2nd-round pick is 51st overall, meaning 18 players will come off the board before their next selection later tonight.

Do you play the odds and hope one of these guys falls, or do you make a move up the board to acquire superior talent?

The situation is reminiscent of how Dallas drafted DeMarcus Lawrence back in 2014. They were at the 47th pick and gave up that and their 3rd-round pick to move up to 34th and select Tank.

If the Cowboys wants to make such a big leap in 2020, giving up their 3rd-round pick this year would be the asking price. To get to the top of the 2nd Round, they might have to throw in one of their two 5th-round picks as well.

Dallas’ hope now is that the early 2nd Round will have a run on offensive players and push these defensive options on down the line.

If some of these players are available in the 40-45 range, the Cowboys might be able to keep their 3rd-round pick and move up using just their 4th and perhaps one of their 5ths.

My prediction is that Dallas will see how things play out in the early part of the round. If there’s a quick run on defensive talent, perhaps they do sacrifice their 3rd to move up before all of their favorite targets are gone. But if we see a lot of RB, WR, and OT picks early than the Cowboys could get more comfortable with waiting and playing the odds.

Does one potentially special talent help this defense but than two lesser prospects? That’s the great debate for the Cowboys as they decide how to handle the 2nd Round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Gerald Parker
Gerald Parker
Nov 4, 2020 7:19 AM

If compensation was only a 5th or 6th round pick then keep him. Hes gonna be expensive but signing your own player is easier than signing somebody else’s

Frank
Frank
Nov 4, 2020 8:14 AM

Cowboys will gain more in compensatory pick (3rd/4th) after he signs with another team this offseason. Makes way more sense to keep him. No different than Robert Quinn last yr.

Antonio Farthing Jr.
Antonio Farthing Jr.
Nov 4, 2020 8:27 AM

Perhaps, they extend him now. But, JJ and SJ believe they can sell water to a whale… and will unconsciously drive ASmith’s team to look elsewhere.

VAM
VAM
Nov 4, 2020 9:02 AM

It’s a moot point. But AGAIN, the Prescott contract appears to hold the Cowboys hostage.

Cowboys fan
Cowboys fan
Nov 4, 2020 10:37 AM

I think they made the right decision by keeping him!! For one, he’s leading the team in sacks, so he’s pretty much our best player on defense, 2 as said by somebody else above, it’ll be easier signing our own player than it would be signing somebody else’s player and then there’s the point that if he does end up balling out and playing out of our price range then that’ll give us a higher comp pick when he signs with another team!! Just like Robert Quinn did this past season!! Even if he keeps playing like he has been lately and we do decide to let him walk, he could still possibly get us a 5th or 6th round comp pick, which won’t be much different if different at all than what Seattle offered us!! So I don’t see no reason to trade him now!! So the way things look Jerry and Steven are thinking about the future and your thinking about now, so that means they are playing chess and your trying to play checkers!! It’s looking like this article just backfired on you don’t it!? It’s ok though, everybody makes mistakes!!

Miles Ward
Miles Ward
Nov 4, 2020 11:54 AM

And thats why ur not a GM

Dave Corvino
Dave Corvino
Nov 4, 2020 12:53 PM

I would have traded him. To me, he looks slow and his early sacks were just right place, right time. Since then, he’s done nothing.

Gary b
Gary b
Nov 4, 2020 1:27 PM

I see both sides here. He has tailed off since that great 1st game and unless he catches fire again, what team will give him a long term contract (which I’m sure he’s seeking) at his age?

Better to hold onto him. Any team u traded him to would know it was a 8 game rental. Some team will likely overpay for him next yr and give us a better comp. pick

Ruben Trevino
Ruben Trevino
Nov 4, 2020 3:57 PM

McCarthy needs to clean house just like when Jerry Johnson and Jimmy Johnson cleaned house!! Trade away players that dont fit scheme!! This team needs a new fresh start !!
Draft players that will make a difference!!!

Richard Owens
Richard Owens
Nov 5, 2020 1:29 AM

I would keep him because he is already the best player on that side of the team.and with him you have already seen what he can give you as a player.lets just say if they would have traded him and gotten fifth or sixth rounder in his place.you don’t know how the player will perform .some of them don’t even make the team.we have high rounders on the team now under performing Connor Williams and Connor mcgovern are true example of high rounds bust.