The Dallas Cowboys have an interesting history when it comes to Day 1 of the NFL draft.
Throughout their existence, the Cowboys have taken their fair share of Hall of Famers and missed on a few key prospects. They’ll hope to find an instant contributor this year with the 12th overall selection.
Could Dallas find a way to shake things up early in this year’s draft?
As the 2025 event approaches, we’ll take a look back at Dallas’ history of trading down in the draft’s first round:
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1991: Dallas maneuvers a few different ways
The Cowboys notably made three selections in the 1991 draft’s first round. After making moves to acquire the No. 1 overall pick, Dallas selected defensive tackle Russell Maryland. The team also took receiver Alvin Harper from Tennessee at 12th overall. The next pick saw Dallas maneuver in different ways.
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Dallas originally acquired the 14th pick in the draft when it sent Steve Walsh to New Orleans three games into the 1990 season. The Walsh deal also included a 1991 third-rounder (No. 70) and a 1992 second-rounder (No. 52). The Cowboys then sent the 14th pick to New England for the 17th and 110th selections in that draft.
After that, Dallas sent its newly-acquired 17th pick to Washington for the 20th and 132nd picks. Dallas held on to No. 20, but wasn’t done dealing. After selecting Ole Miss defensive tackle Kelvin Pritchett, the Cowboys immediately sent the player to Detroit for the Lions’ second-, third- and fourth-round selections. It was a pretty busy time for Dallas, which ended up with linebacker Dixon Edwards, guard James Richards and defensive end Tony Hill.
1993: No first-rounder for Dallas
Dallas didn’t make a pick in the first round of the 1993 draft. That’s because the team sent some picks to the Green Bay Packers. Dallas sent its 1993 first- and fourth-rounders (Nos. 29 and 112) to Green Bay for two of the Packers’ 1993 second-rounders (Nos. 46 and 54) and their fourth- and eighth-round picks (Nos. 94 and 213).
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The Cowboys ended up finding key contributors with their second-round picks in receiver Kevin Williams and linebacker Darrin Smith. Oddly enough, they also got some key plays out of safety George Teague, who was drafted by the Packers with Dallas’ original first-round pick. Teague had two separate stints in his career as a Cowboy.
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1995: No first-rounder again
The Cowboys once again traded out of the first round, this time sending their pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dallas sent the 28th overall pick to the Buccaneers for their 41st and 63rd overall selections. Memories of this draft may sting for some Dallas fans, as Tampa Bay used the first rounder to take Florida State linebacker Derrick Brooks. He earned 11 Pro Bowl honors and was a first-team All-Pro five times in his career.
Dallas ultimately flipped the 41st pick for the 46th and 110th selections from Atlanta. The Cowboys took Alabama running back Sherman Williams at No. 46 and Washington receiver Eric Bjornson at No. 110. With the 63rd pick, Dallas took Michigan State offensive guard Shane Hannah.
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1996: No first-rounder, Pt. III
For the second straight year, the Cowboys sent their first-rounder to another NFC team. Dallas sent the 30th overall pick to Washington, acquiring the division rival’s 37th and 67th overall selections.
With the 37th and 67th picks, Dallas drafted McNeese State defensive end Kavika Pittman and Florida State center Clay Shiver.
2002: Dallas makes a move in the secondary
Originally holding the sixth overall pick, Dallas added to its secondary after trading its selection to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Cowboys sent the sixth pick to Kansas City, acquiring the Chiefs’ 2002 first- and third-rounders, along with their 2003 sixth-rounder.
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With the eighth pick, Dallas selected Oklahoma safety Roy Williams.
2004: No first-rounder, Pt. IV
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. The Cowboys traded out of the first round, acquiring an extra second-rounder. In 2004, Dallas sent its 22nd overall pick to Buffalo to acquire the Bills’ 2004 second- and fifth-rounders (Nos. 43 and 144), along with their 2005 first-round pick.
Dallas selected Notre Dame RB Julius Jones at 43rd and Boston College TE Sean Ryan at 144th.
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2013: Finding a key piece for the offensive line
While some questioned this move at the time it occurred, Dallas benefited greatly from a trade down in 2013. Entering the draft with the 18th overall pick, the Cowboys sent their original selection to San Francisco for the 49ers’ 31st and 74th overall selections.
At No. 31, the Cowboys took Wisconsin center Travis Frederick. He ended up being a key part of Dallas’ offensive line success in the 2010s, earning five Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors.
2021: Dallas finds another All-Pro
The Cowboys had plans to take a defender early in the 2021 draft. When two of the draft’s top corners (Pat Surtain and Jaycee Horn) came off the board before they picked, the Cowboys moved down. Dallas sent the 10th overall pick to Philadelphia, receiving the Eagles’ first- and third-round picks (Nos. 12 and 84) in that draft.
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With the 12th pick, Dallas select Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. The do-it-all defender has since blossomed into one of the league’s top pass rushers.
2024: A new answer at LT?
Dallas targeted an offensive lineman early in the 2024 draft. They originally held the 24th overall pick in the first round. Dallas sent its first-rounder and seventh-round pick to Detroit for the Lions’ first- and third-rounders (Nos. 29 and 73).
The Cowboys ultimately picked Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.
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Other notable moves
1992: After trading down with New England, Dallas sent two 1992 picks (Nos. 19 and 104) to Atlanta for the 17th and 120th selections in that draft. Dallas took Texas A&M DB Kevin Smith at 17th overall.
2007: The Cowboys briefly traded out of that year’s first round, acquiring a 2007 second-rounder (No. 36) and a 2008 first-rounder from Cleveland. Dallas then sent three 2007 picks (Nos. 36, 87 and 159) to Philadelphia for the 26th pick. At No. 26, the Cowboys selected Purdue LB Anthony Spencer.
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