Grading the Cowboys, Lions trade: Front office surprisingly passes on top NFL Draft target

The Dallas Cowboys were expected to want to get back the fourth rounder they have away when they traded for quarterback Trey Lance in August. 

They got an even better return: A third rounder is going to the Cowboys while Stephen Jones and company drop down to 29th overall.

The news was a bit surprising considering Duke center Graham Barton was on the board, a plug-and-play weapon that is considered a menace in the run game and the best center of this year's class. They were expected to be heavily interested in him. That being said, a third rounder is a third rounder, and the Cowboys might've gotten a bit haul in exchange of a slight drop down.

Grading the Cowboys trade

Cowboys get: 29th overall, 73rd overall (3rd round)
Lions get: 24th overall, 2025 seventh rounder

Cowboys Grade: A-

Per the Rich Hill trade chart, the Cowboys win the trade by 100 points, as a fourth rounder would've been closer to a dead even trade between the two sides. Considering the sheer amount of needs on the Dallas roster, including two voids at offensive line (left tackle, center), this is a great move by Stephen Jones and Will McClay.

Now we wait until the Cowboys are on the clock at 29th overall. If they get Barton or even Tyler Guyton then, this should be seen as an even better move.

UPDATE: Cowboys missed out on Barton, who went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 26th overall. However, they found Guyton waiting for them, and picking him allows Tyler Smith to stay at guard. Overall, it was a good opening night for the Cowboys, who now have two third rounders going into Day 2.