Jerry Jones stated to media almost two weeks ago that he would trade up from 24th in the 2022 NFL Draft, if the right prospect fell within Dallas’ reach. The Cowboys are believed to be looking at Oregon’s pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is just days away from the NFL’s flagship offseason.
Albert Breer discusses a variety of draft topics in today’s “Monday morning Quarterback”, article for Sports Illustrated. Breer stated the following when he reached the Cowboys with a team-by–team list of thoughts, rumors and opinions:
“Dallas could move up—I heard at one point last week that their radar was up for Thibodeaux potentially sliding.”
The Cowboys signed Dorance this offseason and added veteran Dante Fowler Jr., but replacing Randy Gregory is still a concern. Thibodeaux is generally regarded as one of the top 15-20 players in this class, with comparisons made to Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Orakpo. If Thibodeaux falls, then it’s not surprising that Dallas tried to trade for him.
The real question is: What would Dallas have to give up to make this possible?
To move around the 14-15th picks, Cowboys’ current 1st round pick at 24th overall should be packaged with their second-round pick. If they gave up their third-round pick, they could reach the 18th-19th picks.
Other packages could be made with picks from future rounds or later rounds. Dallas has four picks in the 5th round in 2023, but their trade value doesn’t matter when you consider that they will be moving on Thursday night.
Although adding another pass rusher is a good idea, it would be a poor use of Dallas’ resources. There are arguably greater concerns for them at the left guard and wide receiver. They also have to worry about the linebacker and possibly even the interior defense line.
Although Gregory’s departure was disappointing, it was not unexpected. Armstrong and Fowler have the potential to reproduce most of Gregory’s production, but not with the same play-making potential Randy’s superior athleticism afforded on any given play.
A trade-up with the Cowboys would be somewhat incongruent to the way they have approached the 2022 offseason. A dramatic move in a less desperate situation would be a strange thing to do after the conservatism displayed in free agency.
Nevertheless, the Jones’ three decades of management of the Dallas Cowboys have been filled with many surprises. Kayvon Thibodeaux’s slide in the draft would be one. This team would move up to grab him would be another.