The Cowboys hold two first-round picks in the NFL Draft, but how the franchise uses them will be fascinating to watch.
How the Dallas Cowboys will play the first-round of the NFL Draft has captured the attention of the entire football world.
Will the Cowboys trade up to No. 6 with the Cleveland Browns, like some are suggesting? Or will the franchise stay at No. 12 and No. 20 and pick from there?
In truth, both are equally as likely to happen, and the Cowboys are hoping that at least one of the top defensive studs they have their eyes on is on the board when they pick.
We've seen mock drafts where Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane, and Caleb Downs are taken by the Cowboys, which, for most, would be a great scenario.
Christian Parker needs starters from Day 1, and whoever the Cowboys take in the first round will be viewed as an instant-impact player. Why? Because given the situation on defense, they have to be.
But how the Cowboys navigate the first round will be closely watched, because the franchise, after the No. 20 overall pick, doesn't have another selection until No. 92.
That is a long time to wait, and that means some players Dallas might have their eyes on who have a second-round grade will be gone.
And as ESPN's Ben Solak writes, the Cowboys should be a trading team on draft night, either up or down.
“Because the Cowboys have two top-20 picks then no selection until 92, how they address their needs is highly conditional on the players and trades available," Solak wrote.
"They should be an active trading team, and whether it will be up or down depends on how the board falls."
The Cowboys' trade-up scenario has gotten a fair workout over the past 48 hours, and there are differing views on it.
We have Mel Kiper Jr., Dan Brugler, and Todd McShay all having Dallas moving up in their mock drafts. But then Yahoo Sports pair Andrew Siciliano and Charles Robinson, based on people they've spoken to in Dallas, state that the franchise isn't that interested in moving up.
So what will Dallas do? It remains a guessing game.
All options are on the table. Trade up, trade down, do nothing, and you can make the case that each is a viable option. ... with the Cowboys maybe throwing "chum in the water'' to make it all look more chaotic than it really is.