The Dallas Cowboys last traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft back in 2012 to select Morris Claiborne. Before last season, the Cowboys traded back in the draft in 2013 to select Travis Frederick. In 2019, they traded their first round pick to the (then) Oakland Raiders for Amari Cooper. The move led Dallas to an inactive first round for the first time since 2009.

Simply put, the Cowboys are active in the draft. If the moves are there, they'll make a move on the first night, as well.

Stephen Jones has made it a point of emphasis that team-building will primarily come by way of the draft. The Cowboys have plenty of needs, and plenty of draft capital to make it happen.

As it stands, they own the 24th overall pick, as well as picks in the second, third, fourth and sixth rounds, plus four fifth round selections. A total of nine picks. For now.

The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to playing poker while league is playing chess. They'll allow things to leak or even make moves to convey the possibility that they're headed in a certain direction, before making a pivot.

Just last year, Jerry Jones explained how players who opted out of the 2020 season to get ready for the draft were "compromised". Only for them to draft Micah Parsons in the first round, anyway.

This year, signs seem to point at them prioritizing both the offensive line and wide receiver positions early. Even more of an eye-opener is the types of players being brought in for official visits.

It's important to remember the Cowboys traditionally will prioritize a player who came in for an official visit. With CeeDee Lamb and Claiborne being the exceptions in the last 10 drafts.

This year, the Dallas Cowboys have brought in a number of players with near-unanimous first round, or possibly early-second/late-first round potential. Meaning, at least one of the 10 players below is likely to be a future Dallas Cowboy:

• OG: Kenyon Green, Zion Johnson
• OT: Charles Cross
• WR: Chris Olave, Treylon Burks, Drake London
• LB: Devin Lloyd, Quay Walker
• DT: Jordan Davis, Perrion Winfrey

Given how well the team performed in 2021 and the weakening of the NFC this off-season, this is an optimal time for the front office to strike. Are they laying the ground work to not only take one of these players in the first round, but make a move for another?

In the last 20 years, the Dallas Cowboys have made moves for two picks in the first round twice; 2005 (DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears) and 2008 (Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins) respectively.

If in fact the Cowboys are planning to address the offensive line and wide receiver positions, this year is very top-heavy at the positions. It makes sense that two of the players listed could be wearing a star come training OTA's.

Up to now, it's a quiet and frustrating off-season for Dallas and fans. However, all signs are pointing to them potential making a move or two. Taking advantage of a still-talented roster that's very much in 'win now' mode.

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports