It is a popular saying: the NFL never sleeps. We found more of that out on Friday, as multiple trades resulting in exchanging draft picks occurred. The trades will have a direct impact on the Dallas Cowboys — both when it comes to the draft and for next season.
The 49ers made the first big splash of the day. San Francisco, wanting to upgrade at quarterback, traded up to the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The ‘Niners sent the Dolphins three first round picks and a third-rounder in exchange for the third selection.
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
Then, Miami turned around and used their new ammunition to move back up in the same draft. The Dolphins traded the 12th overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the sixth pick in the draft. Ian Rapoport summarized the three trades into one tweet:
Recapping a wild day:#49ers get: 3rd overall pick in 2021.#Dolphins get: PHI’s No. 6 overall in 2021, PHI’s 5th rounder in 2021, SF’s 1st and 3rd rounders in 2022, SF’s 1st in 2023.#Eagles get: SF’s No. 12 overall, MIA’s 4th rounder in 2021, MIA’s 1st in 2022.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2021
HOW THIS AFFECTS THE DALLAS COWBOYS
DALLAS HOLDS TOP PICK IN DIVISION
The Dallas Cowboys were not involved in any of these three trades, but the moves will certainly impact America’s Team. For one, the Dallas Cowboys now have the top draft pick in the NFC East.
The Dallas Cowboys hold the highest pick in the 2021 NFL Draft of all NFC East teams.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) March 26, 2021
Dallas holds the 10th selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Giants pick one spot after Dallas at 11th overall, and Philadelphia will now come onto the clock at 12. Washington, meanwhile, will be waiting until the 19th pick to make their draft choice.
This isn’t the biggest deal in the world, but — with the exception of another trade up — the Cowboys won’t have to see the top player on their board head elsewhere in the division. It practically gives the Cowboys first choice, as New York and Philadelphia will be waiting to see who the Cowboys grab.
PHILADELPHIA IS OUT OF 1ST ROUND QB MARKET
By trading out of the top-10, the Eagles are all but guaranteed to not be in the market for a first-round quarterback in this year’s draft. Reports surfaced on Friday that Philadelphia was interested in moving up for BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. Wilson seems like a lock to go second overall to the Jets but anything is possible in the draft.
Eagles wanted to trade up to No. 3 but only if they could draft Zach Wilson, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/bfXdLNBSyG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2021
The Eagles are now all-in on Jalen Hurts — at least for the 2021 season. Philadelphia drafted Hurts in the second-round of the 2020 draft. The former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback flashed at times, but he also struggled mightily once film was out on him.
Carson Wentz is out of the building and the Eagles appear to be out of range for the draft’s top signal callers after moving back. This means that the Cowboys will very likely be seeing Jalen Hurts behind center in Philly for the foreseeable future.
CHANCES OF DALLAS DRAFTING BEST DEFENDER IMPROVE
Miami trading up increases the chances of a top defender falling to the Dallas Cowboys. The Dolphins seem to be targeting an offensive player to surround Tua Tagovailoa with. Whether that is an offensive tackle or a wide receiver remains to be seen.
There was a pretty good chance that the Eagles would consider cornerback at sixth overall. Philadelphia is a team with needs across the board and secondary is almost always an issue for the Eagles. Denver is another team to look out for when it comes to cornerback, but the Broncos did sign Kyle Fuller in free agency.
It is no secret how interested the Dallas Cowboys are in this year’s cornerback class. Multiple coaches attended Alabama’s pro day to watch Patrick Surtain II workout last Tuesday before watching South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn go through drills later in the week.
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn and Will McClay, VP of player personnel, attended South Carolina’s pro day today, source said. Close look at CB Jaycee Horn after McClay and Quinn scouted Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II on Tuesday.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 24, 2021
The Dallas Cowboys did not make a move on Friday, but the trades that went down will have an impact on the team. The Cowboys hold the first pick in the NFC East. The Eagles appear to be committing to building around Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Dallas should have a very good opportunity of leaving the first-round with either Surtain II or Horn.
We are only 33 days away from the 2021 NFL Draft. More moves could certainly be in the works, but this is where the Cowboys stand as of now.
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
