Dallas Cowboys Draft Scenario: 'All In' Trade Up For Elite Receiver?

The Dallas Cowboys should seriously consider trading up from No. 24 overall, if they want to acquire a game-changing prospect during "all-in" window.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU / Scott Clause / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Dallas Cowboys will enter the 2024 NFL Draft with multiple key needs, but what if Jerry Jones and Co. decide to make a splash? Could the Cowboys trade up from No. 24 overall to nab a blue-chip prospect they feel won’t be available? It certainly feels like a strategy right in Dallas’ wheelhouse, especially when considering potential tier drops within the top-20 selections for wide receiver and offensive line.

What exactly would the Cowboys need to relinquish in order to make a game-changing move up the board later this month? Let’s examine a realistic scenario that might play out for Dallas in a few weeks.

One team that’s been known to wheel-and-deal picking ahead of the Cowboys resides at No. 15 overall. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard believes in accumulating more dart throws for potential hits in the NFL draft. Since taking over in 2017, Indianapolis has moved down more than 60 percent of the time. And with Indianapolis needing to hit various needs as well after an inactive free agent, they appear to be an ideal target for Dallas to pursue a potential move up with.

Nov 25, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) catches a / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Imagine the possibilities for Dallas’ offense if they were able to pair up CeeDee Lamb with another alpha go-to wideout on the opposite hash? LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. checks a lot of the boxes the Cowboys would covet in a high-octane offense headlined by Lamb. Last season for the LSU Tigers, Thomas led the NCAA in touchdowns with an eye-opening 17 of them. Thomas would be able to grow slowly in Year 1 behind Brandin Cooks before hitting the accelerator in 2025.

The likely price for the Cowboys to move up nine spots from No. 24 to No. 15 would cost their second-round pick, per the Rich Hill value chart. Would the Cowboys be willing to move No. 56 overall in order to nab a prospect like Thomas, or anyone else who may tickle their fancy? If Jones and Co. believe it’s the right call, don’t be stunned by this maneuver.

If the Cowboys really are “all in” as Jones said earlier this offseason, then it’s time to put the money where their mouth is and become big-time winners of the NFL Draft’s opening night with a trade up.