Is a trade back in the 1st round a viable option?

Jumbo075

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I'm not really high on a lot of the players that are projected to fall to #26 in this draft. Unless a top prospect falls to the Cowboys, I would be open to trading back - like the Cowboys did in 2013. But the key question is if the Cowboys don't like their prospect choices at #26, will another team want to trade with them. Just because you're willing to trade back doesn't necessarily mean that another team is willing to trade up. Finding a trade partner could be difficult, unless the Cowboys offer a bargain - again, like they did in 2013.
 
I don't see them trading out of the 1st at all. They like that 5th year option as it relates to contracts/managing the cap. Going back 6 spots and staying in the 1st isn't going to net much nor really change player evaluations. I think they stick at 26 and pick a player.
 
I'm ok with it as long as we stay in the 1st round. Remember from what we have heard, only 17-19 players have true 1st round grades. So unless a top 10-15 player drops, you have to consider it.

Just me, but I have a feeling we could be in for surprise from Jerry. He's being quiet (lol)
 
I'm not really high on a lot of the players that are projected to fall to #26 in this draft. Unless a top prospect falls to the Cowboys, I would be open to trading back - like the Cowboys did in 2013. But the key question is if the Cowboys don't like their prospect choices at #26, will another team want to trade with them. Just because you're willing to trade back doesn't necessarily mean that another team is willing to trade up. Finding a trade partner could be difficult, unless the Cowboys offer a bargain - again, like they did in 2013.
Yeah, it would depend on who is on the board, as always. Assume they stay in the 1st thought...like 2013.

You're right about us taking less value to trade down in 2013. By the book, we should've gotten at least another 4th.
We got to pick 18 and Dallas had a huge tier of players graded in the same range, so trading down was absolutely the thing to do. Trade down, add a pick, and still get a layer you like in the same range.

Worked out great for Dallas.

We got both Travis Frederick and Terrance Williams for the 18th pick
 
The obvious position is QB. Assuming the top 3 are gone, if Levis fell to 26 there could be a team that wanted to move up, I'm not sure about Hooker.
 
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I could see this scenario playing out if they are targeting one of the OGs like Avila or Torrence.
 
I ran some numbers on potential trades with the next 10 teams that pick after the Cowboys. The leverage goes to the team receiving the trade offer. If the Cowboys initiate the trade request, they'll get less value. If the other team initiates the trade request, the Cowboys can get a little more. Here are some trade options with trade balances within 30 points for each potential trade partner:

Cowboys trade pick 26 (700 pts)
  • Bills trade 27 & 137 (717.5 pts)
  • Bengals trade 28 & 131 (701 pts)
  • Saints trade 29 & 115 (704 pts)
  • Chiefs trade 31 & 95 (720 pts)
  • Cardinals trade 34 & 96 (676 pts)
  • Cardinals trade 34, 96 & 168 (699 pts)
  • Cardinals trade 34, 96 & 180 (693.8 pts)
Cowboys trade picks 26 & 58 (1020 pts)
  • Steelers trade picks 32 & 49 (1000 pts)
Cowboys trade picks 26 & 90 (840 pts)
  • Steelers trade picks 32, 80 & 120 (834 pts)
  • Texans trade picks 33, 73, & 161 (830.8 pts)
  • Cardinals trade picks 34, 66 & 168 (843 pts)
Cowboys trade picks 26 & 129 (743 pts)
  • Eagles trade picks 30 & 94 (744 pts)
  • Chiefs trade picks 31, 95 & 166 (743.8 pts)
  • Colts trade picks 35 & 79 (745 pts)
  • Rams trade picks 36 & 77 (745 pts)
 
Sure, I just feel very confident a quality money position player will be available at 26 so I probably wouldn’t.
 
Depending on how the draft goes it could be a great position for the Cowboys as QBs like Hendon Hooker, Tanner McKee and even Jake Haener are being talked about as either last 1st round or top of the 2nd round. Even talk now that Houston will take Anderson at #2 and use there second 1st round pick on Hooker or McKee after they hope a trade down some. On Houston radio, they had Houston going Anderson and JSN at 12 then trading back into the 1st with 33 and 72 and taking a QB like McKee.

Lots will happen on draft day. Remember teams always pay extra (most of the time) to go up and get a QB on a 5 year contract.
 
Sure, I just feel very confident a quality money position player will be available at 26 so I probably wouldn’t.
Yep.

You get a bookend defender or a corner for 5 years for cheap is nice.
 
I'm not really high on a lot of the players that are projected to fall to #26 in this draft. Unless a top prospect falls to the Cowboys, I would be open to trading back - like the Cowboys did in 2013. But the key question is if the Cowboys don't like their prospect choices at #26, will another team want to trade with them. Just because you're willing to trade back doesn't necessarily mean that another team is willing to trade up. Finding a trade partner could be difficult, unless the Cowboys offer a bargain - again, like they did in 2013.
Problem with trading back is even if you get a 2nd rounder for it, the 2nd rounder is going to be after your 2nd rounder.
 
Depending on how the draft goes it could be a great position for the Cowboys as QBs like Hendon Hooker, Tanner McKee and even Jake Haener are being talked about as either last 1st round or top of the 2nd round. Even talk now that Houston will take Anderson at #2 and use there second 1st round pick on Hooker or McKee after they hope a trade down some. On Houston radio, they had Houston going Anderson and JSN at 12 then trading back into the 1st with 33 and 72 and taking a QB like McKee.

Lots will happen on draft day. Remember teams always pay extra (most of the time) to go up and get a QB on a 5 year contract.
And then POOF, instant Mahomes right?

Sounds like a plan, sign me up.
 
I'm not really high on a lot of the players that are projected to fall to #26 in this draft. Unless a top prospect falls to the Cowboys, I would be open to trading back - like the Cowboys did in 2013. But the key question is if the Cowboys don't like their prospect choices at #26, will another team want to trade with them. Just because you're willing to trade back doesn't necessarily mean that another team is willing to trade up. Finding a trade partner could be difficult, unless the Cowboys offer a bargain - again, like they did in 2013.
I've reviewed the complete prospect list thru the 1st into the 2nd with that question in mind.

What player would a team trade up to get that the Cowboys would not just draft themselves?

The Cowboys have generally covered their basic needs, in my opinion and just need to add top tier talent at any position.

They generally have about 18 players with 1st round grades.
- If any player with a 1st round grade drops to #26 I think they would take that player.
- That means a team would be trading up for a player that the Cowboys do not have graded as a 1st round pick.
- I guess the exception is QB. The Cowboys might have a 1st round grade on a QB that is available at #26.
- Either they grade Hendon Hooker higher than the media grades or 1 to the top 4 falls to #26.

The final option is that a team just reaches to fill a need.
- The issue with that is that if the Cowboys trade down to the 2nd, they don't get the 5th round option.
- I think the other team would have to significantly over-pay in terms of trade chart value in order for the Cowboys to make the trade.
 
It just depends on where you like the players. For example, Dallas could trade #26 (1st) & #169 (5th) for KC’s #31 (1st) & #95 (3rd). The value difference is 722.6 to 720. If you think your player at 26 will be there early 2nd, you can pick up a 3rd at the expense of a 5th.
 
I did a mock draft using the trade value for picks:

Cowboys trade #26 & #58 to Steelers for picks 32 & 49

Pick 32 - CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Pick 49 - LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Pick 90 - WR Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
Pick 129 - RB Zach Evans, Ole Miss
Pick 169 - TE Cameron Latu, Alabama
Pick 212 - EDGE Viliamu Fehoko, San Jose State
Pick 244 - OG Alex Forsythe, Oregon
 
I would say the vast majority of the time there are teams looking to trade up in that range. Whether they want your slot is a little more iffy. For instance they may want to move up to 27 because they fear 28-30 will draft the player they covet.

Also, I am not going to worry as much about the 5th year option if my targets are things like G's, LBers, RB's. I'm willing to pick up the additional draft capital and try to be the best team I can be during the 4 years.
 
Sure it is but in this draft it will take two things happening. A player they really want coming off the board and one left that another team is willing to trade up for because this is not a great draft after the top 12-15.

The Cowboys need a trade partner willing to go over the draft chart point rankings to make it worth their while.
 
Depending on how the draft goes it could be a great position for the Cowboys as QBs like Hendon Hooker, Tanner McKee and even Jake Haener are being talked about as either last 1st round or top of the 2nd round. Even talk now that Houston will take Anderson at #2 and use there second 1st round pick on Hooker or McKee after they hope a trade down some. On Houston radio, they had Houston going Anderson and JSN at 12 then trading back into the 1st with 33 and 72 and taking a QB like McKee.

Lots will happen on draft day. Remember teams always pay extra (most of the time) to go up and get a QB on a 5 year contract.
With the new rules, and considering market value for a QB, they probably do save a little with the 5th year option. I'm not so sure that's the case with most positions besides QB anymore.
 
I'm ok with it as long as we stay in the 1st round. Remember from what we have heard, only 17-19 players have true 1st round grades. So unless a top 10-15 player drops, you have to consider it.

Just me, but I have a feeling we could be in for surprise from Jerry. He's being quiet (lol)
Whoever the Cowboys draft they’ll say they had a 1st round grade.
 

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