FRISCO – Many analysts expect the Dallas Cowboys to identify a young receiver in the draft to grab in the early rounds and enlist in competition for the No. 2 spot. CeeDee Lamb has proven a stellar No. 1 among the best at his position.

The Cowboys need more behind him though and more offensive aid to help quarterback Dak Prescott. Whether they take a coveted receiver in Round 1 or claim one in the proceeding rounds, the Cowboys are expected to address the position with an influx of youth.

But would they instead look into a trade, using their draft capital to address other needs? At their pre-draft press conference, Jerry Jones and Cowboys leadership conveyed their interest in being active through the coming days.

Jones noted that they have discussed “pretty substantive trades” though he did not offer much in terms of specifics.

“We’re looking at two things that could happen before or after the draft,” Jones said to a small group of reporters, including CowboysCountry.com’s Mike Fisher, in the post-presser “walk-off.” “Two pretty substantive trades. We’ve been working on ’em today.”

Knowing the Cowboys’ owner and general manager, that could all just be smoke and mirrors. At the same time, the Cowboys have shown some aggression on some transactions over the last year for better or worse.

What sort of target would the Cowboys consider at this point? Three concepts …

1 – They have already acquired Joe Milton to fill in the quarterback depth behind Prescott. … though a very odd line of media questioning did cause him to talk Dak insuance.

2 – Looking directly at the receiver depth chart, they traded for Jonathan Mingo midway through the 2024 season. That move made little sense on paper and did not translate onto the field either.

If the Cowboys want to try that experiment again, they are likely choosing from a crop of players headlined by Treylon Burks of the Tennessee Titans. That transaction will not move the needle much at all.

3 – Most likely what’s being discussed is a move that may or may not include players but that certainly includes a trade-back from slot No. 12. Again, Jerry could very easily be dangling a carrot to generate some pre-draft buzz. Even in a scenario where the Cowboys see a more apparent position need in Round 1, they are better off using the draft to add receiving talent than through trade.

But when it comes to the Cowboys, it’s wise to not rule anything out when it comes to draft day.