Jerry Jones Hints Cowboys Could Take Aggressive Draft Approach With Trades in Play

The Dallas Cowboys have two picks in the opening round of the 2026 NFL draft, and Jerry Jones is open to the idea of making moves.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

With the NFL draft just weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys are finalizing their draft boards. They've met with some of the biggest names in the class, as well as a few potential late-round gems.

It's an interesting draft season for Dallas, considering they have two picks in Round 1. In need of help on the defensive side of the ball, the expectation is that the Cowboys will use both No. 12 and No. 20 on a defender.

They could also decide to package those picks and move up the draft board for an impact player. Trading back is on the table as well, especially with the Cowboys entering the draft without a pick in Round 2. Dallas could even look for a veteran player via trade; they did attempt to trade for Maxx Crosby earlier in the offseason.

Will the Cowboys trade any of their picks?

Jerry Jones on the NFL Honors Red Carpet before Super Bowl LX at Palace of Fine Arts. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

According to owner and general manager, none of those possibilities should be off the table. He admitted things can change quickly during the draft, but stated that they're open to any move that will help the team improve.

"I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things. And absolutely, we’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players," Jones said via Tommy Yarish.

"Now that has an on-the-board aspect to it, but it’s very doable. And yes, you should, when you’ve got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations. It’s one thing to sit here right now; it’s another thing to sit and look at it three hours into the draft and see what you got there. So all of that is a possibility."

Jones then decided to reminisce about his early days in Dallas, discussing their previous trades involving draft picks.

"We’ve had our best work, we had four and five times the draft capital back in the early years that I was involved in NFL of an average team. And we missed on some, we missed on some trades, but we nailed a few," Jones said.

However they can accomplish it, the Cowboys have to leave the draft with multiple starting-caliber players.

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