Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Poised for Draft Day Trades

Dallas holds a pair of first-round picks, potentially setting the stage for wheeling and dealing

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, silver, and white representing the Dallas Cowboys' official team colors.With two first-round picks, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is poised to make a splash on draft day through strategic trades and acquisitions.Dallas Today

With the Dallas Cowboys holding two first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones is signaling his eagerness to make trades and move up or down the draft board. This isn't the first time Jones has had multiple first-rounders at his disposal - the last time was in 2026, when the Cowboys made more draft-day trades than in any other year of Jones' 37-season tenure as the team's owner.

Why it matters

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have a reputation for being aggressive and unpredictable on draft day, often making bold moves to acquire players they covet or stockpile additional picks. With two first-round selections, Jones will have even more flexibility to maneuver and potentially reshape the Cowboys' roster through trades.

The details

The 83-year-old Jones has hinted that he's eager to wheeling and dealing with the Cowboys' pair of first-round picks, which could allow the team to move up, move down, or package the selections to address specific needs. In 2026, the last time Dallas had two first-rounders, the team made more draft-day trades than in any other year of Jones' tenure as owner.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Jerry Jones

The 83-year-old owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, who has a reputation for being an aggressive and unpredictable decision-maker on draft day.

Dallas Cowboys

The NFL franchise based in Dallas, Texas, that is owned by Jerry Jones and has two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 draft.

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What they’re saying

“I'm as eager as I've ever been to see what we can do with these picks. The options are wide open, and you know I love to keep everyone guessing on draft day.”

— Jerry Jones, Owner and General Manager, Dallas Cowboys

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, giving the Cowboys and Jerry Jones several weeks to evaluate their options and determine their draft strategy.

The takeaway

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have a history of being active and unpredictable on draft day, and with two first-round picks in their possession, they will have even more flexibility to make bold moves to reshape their roster through trades and acquisitions.