The Dallas Cowboys have taken their fair share of heat this offseason. From free agency frustrations to a lack of splashy moves, fans have voiced their concerns – and rightfully so.

But owner Jerry Jones has a rare opportunity to flip the script with one simple move: get back into the fourth round of this NFL Draft.

One path to getting four picks inside the top 120 is the fan-favorite option: a trade back from pick No. 12. It’s an idea that circulates every year-and yes, in theory, it makes sense. But as we always ask: Who’s your trade partner, what are they coming up for, and most importantly-who are you passing on to make it happen?

It’s a romantic concept until you’re on the clock and realize that teams aren’t always eager to dance. So for the sake of this exercise, let’s assume Dallas did everything in its power to move back … but couldn’t find the right offer.

The next option to strengthen the arsenal is a two-for-one swap. … without mortgaging future capital: Two fifth-round picks to get back into the fourth and salvage a top-120 pick?

That’s how you stack wins on the board: Sacrifice late-round maybes for one more shot at a possible difference-maker.

Dallas currently holds two fifth-round picks: No. 149 and No. 174 overall. And while those aren’t blockbuster assets, they represent a chance to clean up past mistakes.

The Cowboys traded fourth-round picks in back-to-back years for players who haven’t come close to producing. One for Trey Lance, who now plays for the LA Chargers. Another for Jonathan Mingo, who’s still a massive question mark.

That’s two high Day 3 assets spent – and so far, nothing to show for them.

But now? Those two fives could actually buy Dallas another shot.

According to what is known as “The Jimmy Johnson Draft Trade Value Chart,” pick 149 is worth 31.8 points. Pick 174 is worth 21.8. That’s 53.6 points combined-just 0.4 points shy of the 120th pick in the fourth round, currently owned by the Tennessee Titans (valued at 54).

Important sidebar for NFL/Cowboys fans who really want to be in the know: As CowboysCountry.com’s own Mike Fisher reported more than 30 years ago, contrary to lore, iconic coach Johnson did not actually invent this chart. Rather, it was Jerry’s oil-and-gas sidekick Mike McCoy, a team vice president in the early 90’s and a big-brained math guy, who dug into the history of NFL trades to create the chart.

McCoy handed it to Jimmy. As Fish will note, Jimmy – no mathematical slouch himself as a clever card sharp – gets all the credit for implementing it … making the Cowboys the first team to even think of doing it. And today? Every NFL team uses a version of it, giving the whole league (and fans) a sort of “common currency” on which to base trades.

So, now that we’re all just a little smarter … To give fans a taste of what kind of talent could be on the board at 120, here are a few names ranked between 100–135 on PFF’s big board: • 101 – RB Damien Martinez (30 visit) Miami • 104 – WR Tez Johnson, Oregon • 106 – DT Deone Walker, Kentucky

• 109 – WR Isaiah Bond, Texas • 110 – CB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State • 115 – DT Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech • 117 – CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas • 122 – EDGE Barryn Sorrell, Texas • 124 – DT JJ Pegues, Ole Miss

• 125 – CB Nohl Williams, Cal • 126 – RB Jaydon Blue, Texas • 132 – RB Bhayshul Tuten (30 visit), Virginia Tech • 134 – LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame • 135 – WR Tory Horton, Colorado State • 139- RB Brashard Smith, SMU

That’s real talent. Real options. We know the Cowboys like some of those guys . And some of them might be exactly the kind of reinforcements Dallas needs. One deal. Four picks inside the top 120. A chance to plug real holes with real capital. Jerry can’t undo the misses-but he can stop compounding them. Time to make a fourth-rounder count. … with “Jimmy Johnson’s” help