The Dallas Cowboys have two top-20 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, but no more until they return to the clock for pick No. 112. Their second-round pick went in a package for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and their third round went for now All-Pro WR George Pickens.
Fans who believe in quantity over quality would love to see the Cowboys trade back and re-acquire Day 2 picks.
Dallas has seen what the 12th pick can get a team as they picked Micah Parsons there a few years ago, and Tyler Booker last draft. Is the 20th pick one that has been impactful? Should the Cowboys stick and pick, or is it the perfect position to move back from to add at least one Day 2 pick?
Three Hall of Fame players have been selected at the No. 20 pick. Forrest Gregg was a Green Bay Packers offensive tackle who was a seven-time first-team All-Pro and a member of the 1960s All-Decade team. Jack Youngblood was a five-time first-team All-Pro and a member of the 1970s All-Decade team. Safety Steve Atwater was a two-time All-Pro and a member of the 1990s All-Decade team.
That’s three great players, but they were from a long time ago. Since 2000, only two first-team All-Pros have been drafted with the 20th overall selection.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib and Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who made the team this season. Only five players were second-team All-Pros, and only two of those were defensive players;Talib and Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Tamba Hali. Over the last 25 years, that is 28% hit rate on a pick at 20, making an All-Pro team. It drops to 8% for defensive players and 4% for first-team All-Pro defenders.
The 12th pick of the last 10 years has produced excellent players like Parsons, Odell Beckham Jr., Vita Vea, Rashan Gary, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bo Nix. The likelihood of trading away from a great player is significantly increased from that position. The Cowboys’ strategy could be most effective by moving back from the 20th pick and getting more darts to throw at cornerstone players in the future.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Does draft history support Cowboys trading out of the No. 20 spot?
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
