Sources: Cowboys ‘Desperately’ Trying to Trade Up in NFL Draft – With 1 Target

FRISCO – Simply 24 hours in the past, we did not know a lot of it’s “chum” and the way a lot of it’s honest one the a part of the Dallas Cowboys to discover a commerce on this yr’s NFL Draft, proprietor Jerry Jones and firm realizing that utilizing the artwork of deception is a part of the purpose.

However as of Wednesday, guided by two NFL groups front-office sources, now CowboysSI.com does know: Our sources inform us that Dallas has been making telephone calls in makes an attempt to commerce up into the “high 14 or so,” one of many sources including that the Cowboys are “determined” to do and that they’ve a selected and singular participant in thoughts.

The sources didn’t determine the participant. We do know Dallas covets assist alongside the offensive line and extensive receiver.

Jones advised that the Cowboys have been speaking to groups.

“We all the time chum,” Jones mentioned throughout Tuesday’s pre-draft press convention right here inside The Star when requested particularly about Dallas being on the telephone with different groups. “You do this. … You might be all the time speaking about prospects or issues.”

There isn’t a motive for Dallas to be any extra particular than this, however the brief reply is “sure.” The Cowboys are making commerce calls. And within the case of a top-14 transfer, it isn’t, within the eyes of different groups, simply “chum.”

That does not imply there’s a dedication to shifting up from No. 24 within the first spherical of the draft, though it’s instructive to know that the Cowboys consider there are solely 14 to 16 first-round-graded gamers on this class, that means to actually purchase a blue-chip man, a transfer up is likely to be wanted.

Mentioned COO Stephen Jones: “(Within the) first and second (rounds), it’s slightly extra skinny than we’re used to. However I nonetheless suppose we’re going to have an ideal alternative to actually enhance our soccer crew, whether or not it’s on the twenty fourth choose or if we resolve to make a transfer to go up. There’s some gamers that will match that class that you simply is likely to be intrigued by.”

Early within the Jones regime, the Cowboys gained a repute for buying and selling wildly, boldly, and steadily. In whole, the Cowboys have made 71 draft-time trades since Jerry purchased the franchise in 1989.

They’ve made 4 first-round trades since 2010, with blended outcomes. They moved up three spots from 27 to get Dez Bryant in 2010, moved from 14 to six in 2012 to take Mo Claiborne, moved again from 18 to 31 to take Travis Frederick in 2013 and final yr traded again two spots to pick Micah Parsons twelfth total.

These offers occurred because of the Cowboys each “throwing chum” (just like the bloody fish elements in “Jaws” designed to get the eye of the shark) and speaking significantly with different groups about situations.

“There may be nothing harmful about pondering loopy issues,” Jerry mentioned. “We must always suppose out of the field. We must be contrarians. That doesn’t imply that must be that on that individual choice. Nevertheless it is part of pondering unconventionally.”

And it’s a part of why a few of these Cowboys telephone calls are actually taking up a severe tone.

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