Almost two weeks ago, Jerry Jones said to media that he would consider trading up from the 24th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft if the right prospect fell into Dallas’ range. Today, just a few days from the NFL’s marquee offseason event, the Cowboys are rumored to be considering Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux as someone they’d move up for.
In today’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” article for Sports Illustrated, Albert Breer hit a wide range of draft topics ahead of Thursday night. When he got to the Cowboys on a team-by-team list of thoughts and rumors, Breer said the following:
“Dallas could move up—I heard at one point last week that their radar was up for Thibodeaux potentially sliding.”
While the Cowboys did re-sign Dorance Armstrong and add veteran Dante Fowler Jr. this offseason, replacing Randy Gregory as a dynamic pass rusher is still a concern. If Thibodeaux, generally seen as one of the top 10-15 players in this class with comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Orakpo, falls then one couldn’t blame Dallas for trying to trade up for him.
Now the real question; what would Dallas have to sacrifice to make this a reality?
Using the standard draft value chart, the Cowboys’ current 1st-round pick at 24th overall would have to be packaged with their 2nd-round pick to move up around the 14-15th picks. They could get to the 18th-19th picks if they give up their 3rd-round pick instead.
Of course, other packages could be created using picks from the later rounds or future drafts. Dallas does have four 5th-round picks in 2023 but their trade value isn’t much when we’re talking about moving around on Thursday night.
While adding another talented pass rusher is never a bad idea, would this really be Dallas’ best use of resources? They have arguably bigger concerns at left guard, wide receiver, linebacker, and perhaps even the interior defensive line.
Losing Gregory last month was a disappointment but a somewhat overrated one. The combination of Armstrong and Fowler has potential to replicate most of his production, though certainly not the play-making potential that Randy’s superior athleticism presented on any given play.
Swinging for the fences with a trade-up would feel somewhat inconsistent to how the Cowboys have approached the 2022 offseason. After the conservatism they’ve shown in free agency, a dramatic move at a position of less dire need would feel erratic.
That said, over three decades of the Jones’ management of the Dallas Cowboys has come with plenty of surprises. Kayvon Thibodeaux sliding in this draft would be one, and this team moving up to get him would be an even bigger shock.
If I spent five minutes inside Jerry’s World, and I’m not talking about the stadium either, I would probably need to score some psychotropic medications and extensive therapy for the trauma I will have suffered.
Jerry and Stephen are ultra rich egotistical pricks who prey on even their cheerleaders
Completely agree.
How does this even happen? Scary that people have that kind of power. Happy Draft to you, Dennis. God bless.
This is why I like Belichick so much. No extraneous talking like some sort of demented circus monkey. Not involved in the rumor mill. No crazy trades just to make everyone know that he’s in the building. Just quietly goes about his business and winning championships. He does over pay players based on past performance but pays on expected future performance. He’s not married to any of the players meaning he will trade or cut them in a second if it betters the team. But, I love my Cowboys and have to watch this never ending circus act. It’s like being in a nightmare you can’t wake up from.
Good post SGA. I think JJ loves the limelight, which is fine IF one can produce. One of JJ biggest faults, IMO, is he does OVERPAY and most of these players have not produced up to their compensation. Huge, long contracts that cost the team in numerous negative ways.
Last SB he had Jimmy Johnson, who would cut a player really quick, but since it’s been a long tough slog for fans. Tom Landry was more like Belichick in that he didn’t talk much but produced bigtime on the football field. Landry was GREAT.
BTW, these rumors are just that, rumors. But I guess it gets attention.
Thanks for bringing up Landry. I loved the way he ran his team’s. Much respect for what he was able to do, year in and year out, with the Cowboys. Happy Draft to you, Vam.
Spell check — he “doesn’t” over pay players based on past performance.
Fact check, last SB was coached by Switzer, but it was basically Johnson’s team. No offense, but he just had to set it on cruise control.
It’s really a shame that Jimmy couldn’t stay around long enough to see how many championships he could have won. History was cheated and the “what if’s” will always remain. Yeah, it was Jimmy’s team all the way that won that last SB.
After Jimmy, Jerry added Larry Allen, Jay Novcek, and Deone Sanders…..so that 3rd Super Bowl was not all Jimmy
I would be completely content if they took one of the guards Johnson or Green. And then picked up a DT to run the ball. And stop the RUN., One thing history has taught is that we have been run over and beaten up in the trenches when the playoffs start. It’s like beating a dead horse with our soft lines. Side note. Bill Billichick hasn’t done squat since Brady left.
Anthony, we’re gonna keep saying it until it happens: STOP THE RUN!
The guy that showed up to the Combine promising the scouts and media that he was going to do the complete workout, then did the bench and 40 and walked away because “his agent told him to”?
Yeah, he’ll fit right in with all too many others on this team.
Jerry didn’t say he would consider moving up from pick 24, he said he would consider moving up in the first few rounds, meaning the 1st, 2nd or 3rd round!! With all the positions we need to fill, I highly doubt he moves up in the 1st round!! Especially considering the biggest need for us right now is left guard, and we’re in the right spot to get one at 24!! The only way I see Jerry moving up is if a player starts falling further into the 2nd or 3rd round!!
And on another note…. Losing Randy Gregory wasn’t that big of a deal…. He wasn’t that good!! He cost us games quite a bit with his stupid penalties…. Especially in the playoffs!! I think we’ll be just fine with Armstrong and Fowler!! I think Fowler will be able to make up for what Gregory did for us by himself!! I really don’t understand what the big deal is with these stories and Gregory…. Gregory has been in the NFL for 7 years and has had one decent season for us and now he’s some kind of stud or something!? I don’t think so!! He’s average at best, and he’s definitely not worth the 70 million he was paid!! I’m glad he’s gone, that’s just one less problem to worry about and one less overpaid player to worry about!!