The 2021 NFL Draft is fast approaching and the Dallas Cowboys are sitting at a pivotal point on the draft board. With four quarterbacks expected to be taken with the top-seven picks, an elite talent at a position of need could be available for Dallas. However, the organization might have another move in mind.
Quarterback-needy teams have made plenty of headlines this offseason. The Carolina Panthers pulled off the Sam Darnold trade, Matthew Stafford was shipped to the Los Angeles Rams, Carson Wentz joined the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers traded up to the No. 3 pick and will be taking a quarterback.
While plenty of clubs made changes, others are still looking for answers. The Denver Broncos, Washington Football Team and Chicago Bears are among a handful of teams still interested in upgrading at quarterback. It could reportedly work out very nicely in the Cowboys’ favor on April 29.
Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline reports that the Cowboys are very open to the idea of trading down from the No. 10 overall pick and the Bears are a very realistic trade partner.
The Bears signed Andy Dalton, who the organization is very high on, but there is tremendous pressure to upgrade over him. Both general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy are on the hot seat in 2021, and failing to win a playoff game would likely result in their termination.
What could the Cowboys get from trading back?
Dallas would love if Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell fell to No. 10 overall, but the elite pass-protector is unlikely to make it past the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. If he is off the board and one of the five first-round quarterbacks remains available, the Cowboys will likely start taking calls.
Washington would be considered a trade-down target, but Jerry Jones won’t help a division rival potentially land their quarterback of the future. That leaves the New England Patriots, who might prefer to stay at No. 15, and the Bears at the 20th pick. Given Chicago’s overwhelming desire to find a young passer to build around, a trade could look like this.
- Dallas Cowboys receive: No. 20 overall pick, No. 52 overall pick, 2022 second-round pick
- Chicago Bears receive: 10th overall pick, 115th overall pick
Sliding down 10 spots still puts Dallas in a position to add a quality player. It could upgrade the secondary with Greg Newsome II, strengthen its defensive line with Kwity Paye or draft a falling offensive lineman. More likely, given the recent draft buzz, the 20th pick could be the perfect spot for the Cowboys to draft linebacker Zaven Collins.
In the process of moving down, Dallas still lands a player it reportedly loves and picks up a top-55 pick this year and a potential top-50 pick next year. Given this team’s highly paid stars eating up years of cap space, the Cowboys need to find as much cheap talent as possible.
While this would mean missing out on a player like Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn, this might be an even better outcome for a team with a lot of needs.
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