Wildcattin' Jerry 'Infatuated' With TE Kyle Pitts; Will Cowboys Trade Up In NFL Draft?
FRISCO - We have pondered whether "Wildcattin' Jerry Jones'' might override "Calculator Stephen Jones'' at some point this offseason as part of a Dallas Cowboys "go-for-it'' approach.
Outside of the massive Dak Prescott signing, that hasn't happened in NFL free agency. But given Jerry's "infatuation'' with a certain college prospect ... could "Wildcattin' Jerry'' re-emerge in the upcoming NFL Draft?
“We’re hearing this thing about Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys and the GM, being infatuated with Kyle Pitts,” ESPN Chris Mortensen said. “So I figure he’s gonna have to trade up to get Kyle Pitts.''
Pitts, of course, is the Florida tight end who many think is the second-best player in this draft, behind only Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, who figures to go No. 1 to Jacksonville. Pitts is 6-foot-5, 245, runs in the 4.4-second range and, according to every scout we talk to, should not be thought of as "just a tight end.''
We believe Pitts will be gone by pick No. 4 (Atlanta) or No. 5 (Cincinnati). Therefore, if you want him ... you gotta go up and get him.
What would it take in trade? Examining the recent Niners' move up to No. 3, and combining that with a standard NFL Trade Value Chart, Dallas might have to offer No. 10, No. 44 (in the second round) and a fourth- or fifth-rounder.
Would Jones seriously consider trading up in order to take Pitts? Our answer is "yes,'' Jerry would favor doing that. But as Cowboys outsiders still do not fully fathom, the Dallas personnel process is not about the owner simply waving his hand to motion for moves. COO Stephen will have a major voice in terms of the value of such a bid. And personnel boss Will McClay will have a major voice in the valuation of Pitts vs. the talent available at Dallas' present No. 10 slot - and McClay is the builder of the Cowboys' Big Board.
Mortensen offered a silly note maybe intended to take the "newsy edge'' off his report when he added, "I think (Jerry) will offer Emmitt Smith and Larry Allen, maybe throw in Michael Irvin.''
READ MORE: Cowboys Should 'Sprint' To Draft TE Kyle Pitts
We're not sure exactly what to make of that. But the Cowboys liking Pitts? That's an easy call. Truly drafting the B.A.A. (best available athlete/player)? That's a more difficult commitment to stick to, because the Dallas offense (Prescott, receivers Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, and running back Ezekiel Elliott) seems loaded while the defense seems lacking.
And Jerry Jones going "wildcattin','' plunging head-first into a high-profile move that isn't about "balance'' or "responsibility'' but just about "going for it''? That would be the most notable Dallas challenge of all.
READ MORE: Dallas Cowboys Trade Michael Gallup, Draft Kyle Pitts? NFL Truths
