The day before the 2025 NFL Draft, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones teased a major trade that could be in the works for his team .
During Tuesday’s pre-draft press conference, Jones told the media that the Cowboys are "working on pretty substantive trades," specifically regarding players.
While Jones did not give any other details, my interpretation is that Dallas is going to look to trade away picks for players over the course of draft weekend. That would be nothing new for the Cowboys, who are known for making draft day trades. But what “substantive” players could Jones have his eye on?
Cowboys need at WR and RB
As we enter the draft, the Cowboys have a major need for offensive playmakers.
The 2024 roster was lacking in that area, and it’s hasn’t improved much over the course of the offseason. Running back Rico Dowdle signed with the Carolina Panthers. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks went to the New Orleans Saints.
The Cowboys brought in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to the backfield, but it’s hard to be confident in either one of those guys after their respective underwhelming 2024 seasons. Williams had 513 yards on 3.7 yards per carry over 17 games. Sanders totaled 205 yards on 3.7 yards per carry over 11 games.
Dallas still has CeeDee Lamb leading the receiving room but not much else. Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin are both currently in line to be starters on offense.
I fully expect running back and wide receiver to be two positions that are a priority for Dallas in the draft. But maybe a trade could help bolster those position groups as well.
Possible trade targets
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently released a list of players that he views as candidates to be traded during the draft. The list included players on rookie contracts who could be deemed “ expendable” as well as veterans that are available via trade.
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, and the Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. all stood out to me from the list.
Pickens is heading into a contract year with the Steelers and does not have a new deal done. Pittsburgh landed DK Metcalf in a trade this offseason. They also have Calvin Austin III, who really improved in his second NFL season.
Instead of paying Pickens, the Steelers could deal him during the draft and use the pick they receive to replace him. The Cowboys would make sense as a landing spot.
Rachaad White has taken a back seat to Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay. The Bucs are spoiled at the running back position and also have Sean Tucker on the roster, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry in his sophomore season.
White would be an instant upgrade and slot in as the Cowboys' starting running back. You may even be able to get him for a Day 3 pick. That would allow Dallas to use the 12th overall pick on a wide receiver (Tetairoa McMillan or Matthew Golden) to pair with CeeDee Lamb and upgrade significantly at both positions of need.
The same thing goes for Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, who was overtaken by Tank Bigsby in 2024 after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career. There is also a rumor that Jacksonville has interest in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, which would really leave Etienne on the outside looking in. It could be an intriguing, low-risk addition to the Cowboys backfield.
That's my best guess as to what Jerry Jones is alluding to. If the Cowboys are having conversations about making a substantive trade for an NFL veteran, I'm looking at those wide receivers and running backs first.
