Cowboys Ready to Trade Up for Defense, and Stephen Jones Just Confirmed It

The Dallas Cowboys aren't messing around this draft cycle. With the 12th and 20th overall picks locked in, the front office is crystal clear on what they want: culture-changing players who can impact winning football. And if that means trading up to get them, Cowboys COO/co-owner Stephen Jones just said they're all in.

Defense Is the Target, Trade-Ups Are on the Table

Here's the thing that jumped out: the Cowboys are willing to move up in the draft if the right defensive player lands on their board. Stephen Jones laid it out on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday, making it plain that this team knows exactly what they're hunting for when they step up to the podium.

Take Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. This guy lives in opposing backfields, constantly getting after the quarterback. If Dallas decides he's the answer to their pass rush questions, they're prepared to trade up to snag him. That's a serious statement about how they value adding immediate impact on the defensive side.

The message from the front office is unmistakable: they want players who change the culture. Not just scheme fits or potential. Game-changers. Toughness. Guys who can walk into the locker room and shift the mentality.

Pickens Stays Put, at Least for Now

One burning question heading into draft week: would the Cowboys shop star wide receiver George Pickens? Stephen Jones shut that down hard on Tuesday. The Cowboys haven't received any trade calls for Pickens, and frankly, it sounds like they're not interested in taking them.

The Best Player Available Could Still Be an Offensive Guy

Here's the interesting tension: the Cowboys have publicly stated they're committed to the "best player available" approach in 2026, even if that means taking an offensive player. Ohio State WR Carnell Tate has been mentioned as a possibility if he falls to one of their picks. So while defense feels like the priority right now, Dallas isn't going to get cute and reach just to fill a need.

The Cowboys also assigned jersey numbers to new additions including Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson, signaling they're already building around their recent signings.

Ten days until the draft. The Cowboys know what they want, and they're not afraid to get aggressive to get it. Watch how this unfolds.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.