Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Are Working on '2 Pretty Substantial Trades' Ahead of Draft

If there was any doubt that the 2025 NFL draft is right around the corner, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talking about potential deals is the surest sign we are getting close.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Jones said the Cowboys have been working on "two pretty substantial trades" that could happen "before or after" the draft.

One deal that is apparently not being worked on, despite some online chatter, is the Cowboys acquiring Courtland Sutton from the Denver Broncos. NFL Network's Jane Slater quoted one source informed on the situation as saying the rumor is "fake news."

This is the second time in less than a month that Slater has had to debunk an unsubstantiated trade rumor. She previously did it on March 26 about Dak Prescott being dealt to the Cleveland Browns.

As for what the Cowboys might actually be trying to do, that remains a bit of a mystery.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan on April 15 (h/t Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com) that he "doesn't necessarily" see them trying to trade up in the first round based on how the board is shaping up.

That could be usual front-office posturing, especially since the Cowboys were at one point frequently connected to Ashton Jeanty. It seems virtually impossible now to believe the Boise State running back will still be on the board when they make their first pick at No. 12 overall.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has called the Jacksonville Jaguars at five a potential "sleeper" for Jeanty. The Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6), New York Jets (No. 7) and Chicago Bears (No. 10) are also popular landing spots for the 2024 Heisman runner-up.

B/R's NFL scouting department is projecting Jeanty to the Bears, with the Cowboys landing Tetairoa McMillan in its most recent mock draft.

Jerry Jones' comments don't suggest the trades are only being limited to the draft. There's no obvious trade candidate on the roster who rises to the level of a "substantial" trade, unless something unexpected were to happen with someone like Micah Parsons as he waits for a new contract.

The Cowboys have a knack for dragging out negotiations with their star players, so Parsons still being unsigned going into the final year of his rookie contract isn't a cause for concern.

Jones said earlier this month he had a meeting with Parsons that lasted "five or six hours" and the two sides were in "agreement" on most of the issues, despite not having a formal deal in place.

Whatever Jones and the Cowboys might be up to, we might find out the answer starting on Thursday when the first round of the draft begins.