Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have just one goal as the 2026 NFL offseason gets underway. They want to get back to being a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Last season, the Cowboys missed the playoffs with a 7-9-1 record. In order to get back on track, Dallas will need to get aggressive this offseason. There are quite a few holes the team needs to fill.
George Pickens has dominated the headlines for the Cowboys of late. He’s set to become a free agent this offseason. It has been reported that Dallas will likely place the franchise tag on him for the 2026 season, which would pay him $28 million.
After deciding what to officially do with Pickens, the Cowboys will need to turn its attention to the defensive side of the football. They could use more pass rushing help and need to fix up the secondary as well. In order to make all of those moves, Dallas might need to get creative.
With that being said, the Cowboys are being viewed as a team to watch who could make a savvy trade during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus has named Dallas as a team to watch when it comes to trading down with one of its picks in the first round.
“The Cowboys have major needs throughout the defense (52.9 PFF defensive grade, 28th) that can't be solved with just a pair of picks, given the 2026 NFL Draft’s depth at linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher,” Cameron wrote.
“Trading down with one of their first-round picks could profile as a savvy move to allow the Cowboys ample opportunities to address needs at all three levels of the defense, another positive step after the team’s midseason trade for Quinnen Williams.”
Jones has not been shy about making trades in recent history. In fact, just ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the Cowboys traded superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
As of right now, Dallas holds the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the first round of the 2026 draft. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys look to move around to add extra picks or players with one of those selections.
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