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The Dallas Cowboys hands certainly aren't tied when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft; they aren't pigeon-holed into having to do one thing or another. That's partially due to their return to past free agency ways; filling up their depth chart with responsible contracts who could start if needed, but who could certainly be upgraded by a younger, long-term solution. That will allow Dallas the ability to make decisions based on what happens ahead of them.
But what if Dallas wants to take a stronger approach to roster building? The Cowboys have made themselves at home in recent years in the trade market. Could they revisit that in this year's first round and if so, which strategy would be the most beneficial. This series will examine and grade the six different types of first-round trades Dallas could make.
Are the Dallas Cowboys honest with themselves? Do they assess the current trajectory of their franchise accurately when it comes to how close they are to winning a championship? Despite the lip service, is winning a championship their ultimate goal, or is being a consistent playoff contender enough for the organization's brass?
These questions echo in an chamber when the club's 30-year history is discussed. And this year, they are a front and center talking point when discussing the contract negotiations with superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Because of Dallas' negotiation tactics over the last decade or so, their star players routinely make it to the final year of their contracts before extension talks reach substantial stages. While most of that is rightfully blamed on the front office, the delays are also on the negotiating teams of each player. To wit, the Cowboys' reputation for caving can inspire an agent to simply wait the club out, knowing a big payday sits at the end of the standoff rainbow.
And now Dallas has their first generational talent in some time, and the question becomes whether it makes sense to pay him a generational contract, or to trade him to another franchise and bring in an insane haul of draft picks to hopefully bring in stud prospects whose parts are greater than the sum.
Ideally, trading Parsons means not just bringing in multiple top-tier young players, but saving the cap space that could be used to pay other veteran talent. While NFL accounting is almost all funny money, $40 million a year in salary can be used in a variety of other ways.
So when evaluating the various trade options the Cowboys have in the 2025 NFL draft's first round, trading Micah Parsons must be included.
Based on previous NFL trades for edge rushers in Parsons orbit (and admittedly none of the players have approached a start to their career like Parsons) the minimum Dallas should see returning is a first and second-round pick in this year's draft, plus a future first rounder. If the 2025 first rounder isn't of high-enough pedigree, the haul should be even bigger.
The truth is, the Cowboys likely still wouldn't see the return on investment as they would if they kept Parsons and re-signed him. But if they truly aren't interested in paying his market value, getting a ton of draft compensation would be a wise move to make. The other alternative would be to pay him this year's fifth-year option, franchise tag him and try again (re-sign or trade) next offseason season.
Our Rating: C-
Have any teams that have traded away their star edge rushers really cashed in with their return hauls? The Jaguars got K'Lavon Chaisson and Trais Etienne for Ramsey. The Raiders got Josh Jacobs and Damon Arnette for Khalil Mack. The Broncos got Nik Bonitto for Von Miller. The only real plus has been the cap space.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Does trading Micah Parsons for picks make long-term sense for Cowboys?
Continue reading...
But what if Dallas wants to take a stronger approach to roster building? The Cowboys have made themselves at home in recent years in the trade market. Could they revisit that in this year's first round and if so, which strategy would be the most beneficial. This series will examine and grade the six different types of first-round trades Dallas could make.
Trade Micah Parsons
Are the Dallas Cowboys honest with themselves? Do they assess the current trajectory of their franchise accurately when it comes to how close they are to winning a championship? Despite the lip service, is winning a championship their ultimate goal, or is being a consistent playoff contender enough for the organization's brass?
These questions echo in an chamber when the club's 30-year history is discussed. And this year, they are a front and center talking point when discussing the contract negotiations with superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Because of Dallas' negotiation tactics over the last decade or so, their star players routinely make it to the final year of their contracts before extension talks reach substantial stages. While most of that is rightfully blamed on the front office, the delays are also on the negotiating teams of each player. To wit, the Cowboys' reputation for caving can inspire an agent to simply wait the club out, knowing a big payday sits at the end of the standoff rainbow.
And now Dallas has their first generational talent in some time, and the question becomes whether it makes sense to pay him a generational contract, or to trade him to another franchise and bring in an insane haul of draft picks to hopefully bring in stud prospects whose parts are greater than the sum.
Ideally, trading Parsons means not just bringing in multiple top-tier young players, but saving the cap space that could be used to pay other veteran talent. While NFL accounting is almost all funny money, $40 million a year in salary can be used in a variety of other ways.
So when evaluating the various trade options the Cowboys have in the 2025 NFL draft's first round, trading Micah Parsons must be included.
Based on previous NFL trades for edge rushers in Parsons orbit (and admittedly none of the players have approached a start to their career like Parsons) the minimum Dallas should see returning is a first and second-round pick in this year's draft, plus a future first rounder. If the 2025 first rounder isn't of high-enough pedigree, the haul should be even bigger.
The truth is, the Cowboys likely still wouldn't see the return on investment as they would if they kept Parsons and re-signed him. But if they truly aren't interested in paying his market value, getting a ton of draft compensation would be a wise move to make. The other alternative would be to pay him this year's fifth-year option, franchise tag him and try again (re-sign or trade) next offseason season.
Our Rating: C-
Have any teams that have traded away their star edge rushers really cashed in with their return hauls? The Jaguars got K'Lavon Chaisson and Trais Etienne for Ramsey. The Raiders got Josh Jacobs and Damon Arnette for Khalil Mack. The Broncos got Nik Bonitto for Von Miller. The only real plus has been the cap space.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Does trading Micah Parsons for picks make long-term sense for Cowboys?
Continue reading...
