1 day Ago By Cowboys Wire
At this point in the offseason, just about every mock draft scenario has been floated somewhere on the internet. Teams have been projected to trade up, trade back, stay put, stick their right foot in and shake it all about. With a little over three weeks remaining before the actual draft, it's time to inject a bit of creativity into the equation.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell has accepted the challenge, using a first-round mock to outline trade outcomes for all 32 teams. And while Barnwell is one of the best analysts the NFL has seen, his proposed trade here makes little sense for two of the three teams involved.Cowboys get: 1-2 (from Browns), 1-15, 2026 third-round pick (from Falcons)Browns get: 1-12, 5-149, 2026 fourth-round pick (from Cowboys), 2026 first-round pick (from Falcons)Falcons get: Edge Micah ParsonsWhile no one should be opposed to the exploration of the idea of trading Parsons - it's a great thought exercise - this trade seems off.
Yes, the No. 2 overall selection is worth a pretty penny, but trading a player on the trajectory of Parsons for a single pick is a little hard to swallow. And yes, there's a third rounder included, but moving back from 1.
12 to 1.15 is worth a third. It's pretty much a straight swap, No.
2 for Parsons.And if only going based on the value of the No. 2 pick, which on the Jimmy Johnson trade chart is worth 2600 points, then the haul Cleveland brings back for said pick makes no sense.
The No. 12 pick is 1200 points, and a future first is generously worth 800 points..
. generously. That extra 600 points is worth a late first-round pick, not two Day 3 ones.
Still, it's an interesting idea, saving the $200 million from the incoming Parsons extension and turning the page to Adbul Carter.There could be a chance for them to acquire the next Parsons on a rookie deal. It's incredibly unrealistic to project Abdul Carter to turn into Parsons, but the former off-ball linebacker's production exploded after being shifted to pass rusher.
He racked up 12 sacks and a nation-high 24 tackles for loss in 2024. And crucially, while Parsons will be making more than $41 million per season over the next few seasons, Carter will make $41 million over the next four seasons combined if he's drafted at No. 2.
And for the Cowboys, they move on from Parsons and two Day 3 picks and get two first-round picks and a future third-rounder. With the Titans using the No. 1 pick on Cam Ward, Dallas would use the No.
2 selection to land Carter, immediately replacing Parsons in their lineup with a much cheaper player. The savings would matter in the years to come. They also would still have the No.
15 pick to use on another defensive tackle.This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys trade Micah Parsons in 3-team deal in ESPN mock draft.
