April 8, 2026, 5:06 a.m. CT
Jerry and Stephen Jones, in all likelihood, absolutely love this time of year, especially this year. Sitting on two top-20 draft picks, they know they have the ammunition to pull a big move and go get a top-10 player if they so choose. But they also know other teams are likely to be calling with potentially juicy offers for at least one of those Night 1 selections. While the Joneses mull over all the options in front of them, it’s also conceivable they could wind up with another first-round pick… if a team looking to get over the hump decides to break their own bank to pry George Pickens away. Could leaving open that possibility be one reason why there’s been no movement on getting a long-term deal done with the talented wide receiver?
And even though it’s all about the draft for the next nine to 11 days, there are still quality free agents out there on the open market. The Cowboys still have money they can spend to address roster needs, even after the draft. Would a late signing of a veteran leader like Bobby Wagner really shock anybody?
Also, today’s headlines look at the defensive prospects who came to town for Dallas Day… and who, notably, did not. Word out of Frisco is that Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy “is not expected to be in play for the Cowboys because of his injury history.” All that, plus which Cowboy is on track to make his first Pro Bowl, how the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks are handling the same DeMarcus Lawrence situation that Dallas was in, and how gameday really goes down for the world’s most famous cheerleading squad.
Several teams started their offseason programs on Tuesday. Kyle Pitts has made it official in Atlanta just in time for the first day of work, but De’Von Achane was a no-show in Miami. And Giants head coach John Harbaugh is staying optimistic that things will be resolved between the club and star defender Dexter Lawrence after his last-minute trade request.
Elsewhere in the league, presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza says he’s not attending the draft in person in order to spend the evening with his family at home (so no bro-hug for commissioner Roger Goodell). And his expected teammate Kirk Cousins is looking at his season as a Raider- in which he’ll likely mentor and then eventually cede his spot on the field to Mendoza- as a positive footnote on his NFL résumé. Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick will finally tell his side of the story in a new book detailing his controversial career, and Steve McMichael’s family shares the heartbreaking findings of testing on the Bears legend’s brain one year after his passing.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Cowboys ‘absolutely’ open to trading up, down in 2026 NFL Draft :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)Would it make sense for Cowboys to trade up to No. 3 pick in NFL Draft? :: The Athletic (Link)Forget first-round draft picks: Why contenders should trade for these proven stars instead :: CBS Sports (Link)Mock draft: Will ESPN’s Peter Schrager be right about Cowboys for 3rd straight year? :: Cowboys Wire (Link)Dallas Cowboys host top defensive prospects in Frisco ahead of crucial draft :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Link)History shows Cowboys don’t need to reach for a first-round LB :: Cowboys Wire (Link)3 free agency signings Dallas Cowboys can still make under salary cap :: SI.com (Link)Which Cowboys jersey numbers are available? The pre-draft 90-man roster :: Cowboys Wire (Link)Predicting the Dallas Cowboys next first-time Pro Bowler :: Blogging the Boys (Link)10 game day hours with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders :: D Magazine (Link)Seahawks confronting difficult DeMarcus Lawrence reality Cowboys fans lived through :: The Landry Hat (Link)Offseason Workout Program UpdatesReport: Falcons TE Kyle Pitts signs franchise tag, arrives for voluntary workouts :: NFL.com (Link)Dolphins star RB De’Von Achane not here during first day of offseason workout :: Miami Herald (Link)Dexter Lawrence trade request: John Harbaugh optimistic Giants will keep star DT :: USA Today (Link)News & Headlines from Around the NFLFernando Mendoza won’t be attending NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: Source :: The Athletic (Link)New Raiders QB Kirk Cousins views Las Vegas as ‘great opportunity to finish strong’ :: NFL.com (Link)Colin Kaepernick will publish “equal parts memoir and manifesto” in September 2026 :: ProFootballTalk (Link)Chicago Bears legend Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael diagnosed posthumously with CTE :: ABC 7 Chicago (Link)
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