In under two weeks, the 2024 Dallas Cowboys draft class will be set in stone with the start of the NFL Draft.
This is the biggest event of the offseason for many teams, and the Cowboys are no different.
They need an influx of talent after losing out on countless free agents and moving on from players of their own.
Dallas needs new starters at multiple spots and more depth pieces on the roster.
There is one major issue facing the team as they head into the draft, however.
The Cowboys’ draft capital is weak, at best.
In the first 173 picks, Dallas will select just three players, as they are missing their 4th-round pick from the Trey Lance trade.
24th overall, 56th overall, and 87th overall are the only picks for the Cowboys in the top 100, and the top 100 picks are the peak of the draft.
They have a 5th, 6th, and two 7th-rounders in the later rounds.
However, they are missing an additional 5th after trading up last draft to get Cornerback, Eric Scott Jr.
This spells major trouble for the Cowboys’ chances of having the draft class they need.
Thus, many have called for the team to make a trade-back to collect more draft-day assets or use one of the later-round picks to strike a deal for a low-cost veteran, like the team did with the Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks trades.
To do this, Dallas needs trade partners.
So, let’s take a look at five teams the Cowboys could strike a draft day deal with.
Trade-Back with Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills General Manager, Brandon Beane has no fears about making trades on draft day.
In the 2023 draft, Beane moved around the board four times with four different teams.
This included a trade-up from 27 to 23 to draft a new weapon for Josh Allen in Tight End, Dalton Kincaid.
If you recall, the Bills just moved All-Pro receiver, Stefon Diggs, to the Texans.
With this trade and the departure of Gabriel Davis, it is safe to say wide receiver is Buffalo’s top roster need.
The issue for them is, that the top five receivers will all likely be gone by the time they pick at 28th overall.
They could fix this problem very easily by making a trade with Dallas to move up to 24, selecting one of the top receivers like LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr, while the Cowboys slide down and collect much-needed capital.
Buffalo could offer Dallas their 28th pick, and two fourth-round picks, and that would equal out to a fair trade using the draft picks point chart system.
While this move would not solve all of the Cowboys’ problems, adding two 4’s to slide down a couple of spots gives them a much-needed boost.
Dallas needs to seriously consider moving down in this draft.
Trade with Texans for WR
Speaking of the Texans’ wide receiver room, let’s talk about a potential move for one of their young receivers who may not have a spot anymore.
In 2021, former Alabama Wide Reciever, John Metchie, dominated his last collegiate season with over 1,100 receiving yards.
This led to Metchie becoming a 2nd-round pick for Houston in 2022.
A shocking training camp cancer diagnosis later, and Metchie was fighting for his health rather than preparing for his highly anticipated rookie season.
Thankfully, Metchie beat his cancer and returned to the field in limited action in 2023.
This epic comeback was inspiring to watch, but with the rise of players like Tank Dell, Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, and Noah Brown, there was not much space left for Metchie.
After the Diggs trade, there are even fewer snaps to be had for him.
With this in mind, the Texans will likely look to move off of Metchie before the 2024 season, and who better to come pick him up than a WR-needy Cowboys team?
This move would not cost much from Dallas; likely a 6th or 7th in this draft.
In return, they’d get a guy who was the 44th pick just two drafts ago and a legitimate contender for WR3 on their depth chart.
This could be a low-cost, high-potential move for Dallas.
Trade Out of 1st Round with Patriots
The two most iconic owners in the NFL combining for a draft-day trade? Now that’s an electric NFL Draft moment.
After all, it would not be the first time these two made a deal for the 24th overall pick.
Back in 2010, Dallas moved up with New England at 24 to draft franchise legend, Dez Bryant. 14 years later, the Cowboys could return the favor.
The Patriots are at an interesting point with their franchise.
They desperately need a quarterback, and they could pick one with the third pick.
However, their overall roster is so depleted that drafting the best player available, perhaps Marvin Harrison Jr, and waiting on their franchise QB, could be a smarter move.
Dallas however could offer the Patriots a chance to get both.
If a quarterback like Bo Nix or Michael Penix (who it seems they are interested in) catches New England’s eye, they could move up with Dallas to select them at 24.
This is not a strong enough commitment that they would have to stick by that guy if things were bad in 2024, but at least you get another shot at successfully succeeding Tom Brady.
For the Cowboys, a move out of the first round entirely is bold, but they can pick up serious capital in doing so.
New England could throw Dallas the 34th pick, and the 68th (the fourth pick in the 3rd round).
The Cowboys would have to sweeten the pot some with a late-rounder of their own to make the value close, but this would still be a major deal to get draft capital.
Whoever Dallas strikes a deal with is important, but making a move at all comes first.
They have to work the phones and build this roster big time in the draft.