Rick Gosselin projected Tyron Smith to the Cowboys in the nine slot, but he told Norm Hitzges Wednesday that he expects Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to trade down out of that slot.
Yea, you can always bank on Jerry Jones looking to trade out. That's his history; he doesn't want to draft; he doesn't want that pick; he'd rather have quantity than quality. You can bank on the Cowboys at least looking around to trade down. That's their history; that's the history with Jerry Jones as the general manager. Again, we've talked about this: I think they're crazy if they trade down out of No. 9. I think they lose out on a blue-chip player if they do that. But, that's their history.
The Cowboys reportedly like Anthony Castonzo and Nate Solder enough that they are not afraid to see Tyron Smith get away. They are also thought to like J.J. Watt and other defensive linemen who can fit in the end spot in their 3-4 scheme. A group of linemen should last into the teens, and the Cowboys could trade as far down as 16 or 17 and still see one they like. Dallas may lose Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher - three of the top four ends on their depth chart - to free agency.