Texas Trade-Up: Cowboys Hinting at Bijan Robinson; Move in NFL Draft Takes How Many Picks?

The Cowboys want a running back in this selection process. But do they want one so badly - even one as special as Bijan Robinson - that they're willing to forfeit virtually all of their valuable NFL Draft assets for one?

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys are having some fun teasing Cowboys Nation about the idea of selecting Texas running back Bijan Robinson in this month's NFL Draft. And it is a fun thought, because as Cowboys COO Stephen Jones is saying, "I don't think I've seen a set of circumstances where he's not a first-round pick in almost any (mock) draft.''

And Stephen said something else that could be construed as a "hint'' regarding what Dallas might do as it involves the Longhorns star, who multiple NFL scouts tell CowboysSI.com is "a top-five talent'' and a "top-10 pick.''

"Bijan's just had a great career at Texas," Jones said to 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. "So hat's off to him ... I’m sure when that first day (of the draft) is over, he’s certainly gonna have a team ... And (on the idea of Bijan in Dallas), you never know.”

Actually, though, you might know ... if you take full measure of the cost of moving up from No. 26 to get Robinson - an idea again predicated on the assumption that the "devaluation of the running back'' doesn't cause him to come tumbling down, down, down toward Dallas' spot.

Let's say Robinson is still there on the board as the Chicago Bears are ready to pick at No. 9. For the sake of this argument, let's also figure that Dallas is worried about Bijan ending up going at No. 10 to the hated Philadelphia Eagles. ... and that the Cowboys would like the double-benefit of having him in Dallas and not having to face him twice a year.

So the Bears pull out their Trade Value Chart and the Cowboys pull out theirs ... and the two teams work to come up with fair compensation for a swap of picks.

And almost any way you slice it, and no matter which "TVC'' is used (all NFL teams are somewhat on the same page with their charts) ... the Cowboys, in order to get to No. 9, are going to have to come up with enough "points value'' in the picks ... and to accomplish that would have to trade to Chicago their first-round pick (at No. 26), their second-round pick (at No. 58), their third-round pick (at No. 90). And maybe more.

And it is at this time that Stephen's teases (and Jerry Jones' quite-likely visions of Bijan with The 'Boys as a marketing and business move) turns very serious.

The Cowboys want a running back in this selection process. But do they want one so badly - even one this special - that they're willing to forfeit virtually all of their valuable NFL Draft assets for one?

The Saints did that - swapped their entire draft, really - for another "can't-miss'' Longhorns running back named Ricky Williams. How'd that work out for 'em?

This is the sort of trade you make for a generational quarterback. And that is it. Dallas taking Bijan at 26th overall is an easy call. Dallas exploring should Bijan slide out of the top 10 is a consideration. But this scenario? Let the Joneses have their dreamy fun for a minute ... and then, Cowboys staff, let's get back to work.

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