Dallas Cowboys drop hints of potential trade strategy ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft: Takeaways from wild pre-draft presser
The Dallas Cowboys’ pre-draft press conference had a little bit of everything, including George Pickens intel, hints at their trade strategy, a Presidential visit, and more.
The Dallas Cowboys know how to make headlines. In their pre-draft press conference, they pulled out all the stops.
From trade talk to a Presidential visit to a massive George Pickens announcement, below are the biggest takeaways from the Cowboys’ presser ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cowboys make a George Pickens decision
Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones announced in the middle of the pre-draft presser that the front office would not be negotiating a long-term deal with George Pickens. The timing of such a reveal came as a shock, especially because it carries significant draft implications—Dallas is said to be high on first-round WR prospect Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State).
The Cowboys will allow Pickens to play on the tag, which the wide receiver has yet to sign.
Trading down or trading up?
Be careful with how much stock you put on this, but when Jerry Jones spoke on the Cowboys’ chances of pulling off a first-round trade Thursday, his tone suggested a trade down was likelier than a trade up.
He confirmed the Cowboys have received calls about potential trades but didn’t confirm if they had made calls themselves.
“They’re usually, candidly, better coming in than going out,” Jones said about trade calls.
The Cowboys have historically preached about leverage in negotiations and it’s been clear in their eyes, making the first move is almost seen as a sign of weakness. Earlier in the year, Stephen Jones said in a radio interview that teams on the clock are usually the ones who receive calls instead of the other way around
That being said, Stephen did say they’re not married to the idea of making two first-round picks.
“There’s scenarios where you could end up with additional picks and still have two picks in the top 32,” he said. “There could be a situation where we want to go get a player, and we think it’s worth it, and it may push that second pick down a little further than top 32.”
Yeah, trade up and trade down are both in the mix, especially in such an unpredictable draft as this year’s.
Trading players is an option
So trading picks either way is an option. But what about players?
“There’s every kind of trade possible,” Jerry said. “Players, draft picks, all of that is in play.”
GM-speak or tease? With speculation about the Cowboys potentially looking at wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round, it may become an important comment. Does Dallas look at moving franchise-tagged George Pickens or WR3 Ryan Flournoy if they use a first-rounder on the position?
Or instead of getting rid of a player, do the Cowboys use their third-round pick to acquire a veteran linebacker such as Jordyn Brooks from the Miami Dolphins? It sure sounds like they want to.
“We’re talking currently to teams about players, veteran players, that could certainly help us,” Stephen Jones said. “I think we did a great job [in free agency] but we didn’t check every box.”
Former President Bill Clinton crashes Cowboys presser
Covering the Cowboys is never a predictable ride. Apart from the Pickens news, we got a Presidential reminder of it. In the middle of the pre-draft press conference, Bill Clinton entered the room and stole the spotlight.
“Have a good Draft Day,” President Clinton told Jerry Jones in front of reporters.
According to the Dallas Morning News‘ Calvin Watkins, the former President had lunch with Jerry Jones at The Star as part of his visit in North Texas.
“That was definitely a first,” said head coach Brian Schottenheimer of having a former President crash a team press conference.