Here's the breakdown of what the Broderick Jones trade means for the Cowboys:
The short version: Dallas traded a 4th-round pick to the Steelers (also getting a 3rd-rounder back in the deal) to acquire the former 2023 first-round pick, giving them a versatile tackle who can compete at right tackle or serve as swing depth. (from the Broderick Jones page)
Why it matters for the OL depth:
- Left tackle was already a sore spot. Tyler Guyton allowed 31 pressures in just 10 games last season, and the team was openly exploring upgrades (Nate Thomas, rookie Drew Shelton). Jones gives them another option if Guyton continues to struggle. (from Dak Prescott's page)
- Jones is fully cleared from the neck injury that cost him all of 2025 — no restrictions heading into the season. That's the key variable.
- He's a former first-round talent with starting experience at both left and right tackle. Even if he doesn't win a starting job outright, he immediately upgrades the swing-tackle spot — which is critical insurance for a line that had shaky depth.
From the experts: On Establish The Run, they called it a "low risk, high upside" move for the Cowboys — highlighting that getting a former first-rounder for a mid-round pick, post-injury, is exactly the kind of flier a team with OL questions should take ().