Jerry Jones
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is attempting to play hardball with Micah Parsons amid the star's push for a trade.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 NFL offseason with quite a few needs to address in order to get back to being a serious playoff contender next season.
After missing out on the playoffs in 2025, the Cowboys will need to be aggressive this offseason. They have a major decision to make regarding star wide receiver George Pickens and they also need to put a lot of work into their defense.
That being said, Dallas does head into the offseason with some great assets to work with.
Due to the Micah Parsons trade with the Green Bay Packers ahead of the 2025 season, the Cowboys have an extra first-round pick in this year’s draft. They currently hold both the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks. Could they consider trying to make a trade up?
It’s a scenario that one analyst suggested for Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys Trade Pitch Would Move Them Up in the 2026 NFL Draft
105.3 The Fan has suggested an idea that would see the Cowboys pulling the trigger on a major deal with the Cleveland Browns. In their suggested trade, Dallas would move up to the No. 6 overall pick in exchange for both the No. 12 and the No. 20 pick.
With the No. 6 pick, they would have the Cowboys taking Ohio State standout defensive back Caleb Downs.
Jones would have to seriously consider that move. Downs is a potential franchise-altering defensive. There are many who have called him the best safety prospect in recent NFL history.
Downs is coming off of a three-year college career that saw him play his freshman season for the Alabama Crimson Tide and his final two years with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He totaled 256 tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six interceptions, and 10 defended passes in those three years.
Adding that kind of playmaking ability and talent to the secondary would be a big step towards fixing a Dallas defense that badly needed help last season.
What Are the Cowboys’ Biggest Needs Entering the Offseason?
At this point in time, there are a few clear needs that stand out above the rest.
One of the first decisions that needs to be made will have to do with Pickens’ future. If the two parties can’t work out a new deal and the Cowboys don’t place the franchise tag on him, they will need help at the wide receiver position.
After that situation is handled, Dallas will need to focus heavily on defense.
Without Parsons last season, the Cowboys clearly weren’t good enough at rushing the passer. They’ll need to add at least one new impact pass rusher to the roster. Adding both at the cornerback and safety positions will also be a need.
Dallas could easily get back to being a contender in the NFC next season with the right moves. Jones will need to get aggressive in order to make that happen, but there is a very realistic chance of it happening.
Trading up in the 2026 NFL Draft for Downs could be one big piece of that equation.