The 2017 NFL Draft is getting closer and closer. You can feel it in the air, you can smell it; but mostly you can see it in your Twitter feed. Mock Drafts from every football analyst, draft guru or casual football fan are everywhere on social media.
For weeks now, we've been discussing who the Dallas Cowboys will pick with the 28th overall pick. Will it be a defensive end? Will they pick a cornerback? Or will they go for an offensive player?
Today though, I'd like to discuss another possibility of what Jerry Jones & Co. could decide.
Trading Down
I really think this could happen.
It may not be ideal, but it could turn out to be a pretty good deal too. Just look at 2013, when Dallas traded down and ended up with Travis Frederick, Terrance Williams, and J.J. Wilcox.
Before we continue, let's talk about the prospects who look to be the main targets for Dallas:
- DE Takkarist McKinley
- DE Charles Harris
- LB T.J. Watt
- CB Adoree' Jackson
- CB Kevin King
- S Budda Baker
- S Josh Jones
I think Takkarist McKinley would be the most realistic option for this team, if he's available. But he probably won't be there as we have seen his draft stock rise lately. Charles Harris could be there but I wouldn't be surprised if he is taken before Jerry Jones has the chance to draft a player.
As for Watt, Jackson, King, Baker and Jones… they are all good but the question becomes, are they worth the pick at #28? Or are they players that you could maybe take later in the draft, and grab more draft picks in the meantime?
Teams Will Be Looking For QBs
Some teams with QB needs will want to trade up from the second round to the late picks in the first. Every first round pick comes with a fifth year option on their contract that the team can pick up if they wish. Second round or later picks do not include this. It's important to note that this could be one of the main reasons a team doesn't want to trade out of the first round.
Here's a look at two potential trade partners for the Cowboys, if they choose to trade down:
Cleveland Browns
Owning picks #1, #12 and #33, the Browns may be able to add a lot of talent to their team. Myles Garrett will be the first selection (or at least, should be). The 12th pick can go a lot of different ways.
Let's suppose for a moment that they decide there isn't a QB available who is worth #12, and decide to wait until later to get their next QB.
Holding pick #33 the Browns could be interested in trading up to pick a quarterback in the first. Throw in their #52 pick and the Cowboys get a good deal.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have picks #11 and #32. There is no way they draft a QB with the 11th pick but they could go for one in the late first. While pick #32 gets them the fifth year option on their player, they might still want to trade up. Why? We just talked about the Browns wanting to move up.
If there's a guy the Saints really want, they won't like Cleveland trying to get ahead of them. This meaning they might want to avoid this by getting pick #28 from the Cowboys.
This is all speculation, but it certainly is a possibility depending on who is still on the board for the Cowboys. I'd rather have them stay put and draft a player for this defense at #28, but if there's no one there who is worth it, why not trade down?
How would you feel if the Cowboys trade down from the 28th pick?
Let us know in the comments below, or tweet me @PepoR99 and let's talk football! If you like football and are looking for an NFL show in Spanish, don't miss my weekly 4 Downs Podcast!
