The players who are 100% off-limits in NFL Draft discussions for the Cowboys

Owner Jerry Jones is doing exactly what you would expect from a man with two first-round picks and a flair for drama: he’s keeping all options open.

Just a day before the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, the Dallas Cowboys’ owner has indicated that “every kind of trade is possible.”

This includes both high-value draft picks and established roster players.

According to Todd Archer of ESPN, Jones is actively fielding calls but has yet to make any offers of his own, preferring instead to see what enticing packages other teams might present as the clock ticks down.

It’s a classic power play from a front office that understands it holds the cards for a potential draft-night explosion.

While the trade market remains dynamic, Jones has established one non-negotiable rule that shapes his current draft board.

In a move that underscores a pressing need for immediate results, the Cowboys have officially placed “redshirt” prospects on their off-limits list.

Clarence Hill Jr. noted on X that Jones recently reiterated the team’s policy of not drafting injured players this year.

If a player can’t suit up for Week 1, they simply won’t wear a star on their helmet.

This shift in strategy reflects an organizational mandate to address the gaps in a roster that has missed the postseason for two consecutive years, leaving no room for developmental projects or medical risks.

This “win-now” urgency is perfectly illustrated in Peter Schrager’s final mock draft, which proposes a significant trade between the Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs involving all four of their combined first-round selections.

The hypothetical deal would see Dallas send picks No. 12 and No. 20 to the Chiefs in exchange for picks No. 9 and No. 29. Schrager argues that this move is essential for a defense that allowed nearly 380 yards per game and struggled significantly on third down last season.

Moving into the top ten, Dallas could secure an elite playmaker like Mansoor Delane to strengthen a secondary that was vulnerable to game-changing big plays throughout 2025.

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