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By most accounts the 2025 NFL draft isn’t a very good draft. Certain positions like running back, defensive line and tight end run deep, but overall the talent levels near the top of this draft appear lacking. Teams who enjoy trading back early to collect extra picks, like the Dallas Cowboys, will need to adjust expectations regarding trade compensation.
It was over 30 years ago when Cowboys legend Jimmy Johnson introduced the world to his draft trade chart.Applying a point value to each draft pick allowed teams to calculate appropriate compensation from every spot in the draft. Obviously individual situations required their own rubric, but generally speaking Johnson’s chart served as the guide of all guides.
An abnormally weak draft class can result in one of two things. It can either stifle the number of trades, since players aren’t good enough to be worth the demanded compensation, or it can force teams to accept less in compensation, maintaining the same number of trades as before. Stubborn teams who fall into the first group likely won’t be moving and shaking much on draft weekend. Teams who accept the reality of the situation and are willing to accept less than normal for trading down will fall into the latter.
Distorting reality are various mock draft simulators who take the context out of this year’s specific situation and focus solely on static appraisals. Teams hoping for those types of returns are probably in for a rude awakening.
The Cowboys are traditionally a team who likes to trade down. They know the cheapest way to build a roster is by populating it with as many rookie contracts as possible. There’s a good chance the front office has more than a few scenarios in mind that could net them an extra one or two top 100 picks. As long they can effectively read the room and lower their expectations, they shouldn’t have any problem trading down in the early rounds.
Dropping back in either of the top two rounds has the potential to net an extra third rounder. If their primary targets don’t fall to them and if they’re willing to keep an open mind, they may be able to wheel and deal their way to an extra pick. Already short a fourth rounder from the Jonathan Mingo trade, they could certainly use the extra capital.
The teams who understand the unique situation in 2025 should have no problem trading back and accumulating extra picks.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 2025 draft: Dallas Cowboys should prep for lesser returns in trades
Continue reading...
It was over 30 years ago when Cowboys legend Jimmy Johnson introduced the world to his draft trade chart.Applying a point value to each draft pick allowed teams to calculate appropriate compensation from every spot in the draft. Obviously individual situations required their own rubric, but generally speaking Johnson’s chart served as the guide of all guides.
An abnormally weak draft class can result in one of two things. It can either stifle the number of trades, since players aren’t good enough to be worth the demanded compensation, or it can force teams to accept less in compensation, maintaining the same number of trades as before. Stubborn teams who fall into the first group likely won’t be moving and shaking much on draft weekend. Teams who accept the reality of the situation and are willing to accept less than normal for trading down will fall into the latter.
Distorting reality are various mock draft simulators who take the context out of this year’s specific situation and focus solely on static appraisals. Teams hoping for those types of returns are probably in for a rude awakening.
The Cowboys are traditionally a team who likes to trade down. They know the cheapest way to build a roster is by populating it with as many rookie contracts as possible. There’s a good chance the front office has more than a few scenarios in mind that could net them an extra one or two top 100 picks. As long they can effectively read the room and lower their expectations, they shouldn’t have any problem trading down in the early rounds.
Dropping back in either of the top two rounds has the potential to net an extra third rounder. If their primary targets don’t fall to them and if they’re willing to keep an open mind, they may be able to wheel and deal their way to an extra pick. Already short a fourth rounder from the Jonathan Mingo trade, they could certainly use the extra capital.
The teams who understand the unique situation in 2025 should have no problem trading back and accumulating extra picks.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 2025 draft: Dallas Cowboys should prep for lesser returns in trades
Continue reading...
