A jaw-dropping rumor is shaking up the NFL world as the Dallas Cowboys, instead of using their No. 12 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. as anticipated, might be plotting a blockbuster trade: sending the pick to the Cleveland Browns to acquire superstar defensive end Myles Garrett. This bold mock scenario, leaked by insider sources, could turn the NFC East upside down if it comes to fruition!
Details of the Potential Trade
In this hypothetical deal, the Cowboys would ship their No. 12 pick in 2025, along with a future first-round pick (projected for 2026), to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Garrett – a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the league’s premier edge rushers. The Browns, potentially in rebuild mode, could use the two first-round picks to bolster their offensive and defensive lines, while the Cowboys aim to create a terrifying defensive duo with Garrett and Micah Parsons.
Benefits: A Nightmare Duo for Opposing QBs
If this trade happens, the Cowboys’ defense would instantly become one of the NFL’s most fearsome units. Myles Garrett, with 14+ sacks in four consecutive seasons and a league-leading 22 tackles-for-loss in 2024, paired with Micah Parsons – who has notched at least 12 sacks in each of his first four years – would form a pass-rushing tandem capable of terrorizing any offensive line. Garrett’s presence would not only amplify the pressure on quarterbacks but also take some heat off Parsons, allowing him to maximize his potential.
Moreover, this move signals an aggressive “win-now” mindset from Jerry Jones, desperate to return the Cowboys to glory after a disappointing 7-10 season in 2024. With Dak Prescott still anchoring the offense, a defense supercharged by Garrett could propel the team into immediate contention against rivals like the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the rising Washington Commanders.
Risks: A Steep Price and Financial Pressure
However, this trade comes with significant risks. Passing on the No. 12 pick means the Cowboys would miss out on a young talent like Kelvin Banks Jr., who could shore up their offensive line – a glaring weakness last season (ranked 30th in yards per rush and 24th in pass-blocking win rate). The struggling O-line has left Dak Prescott under constant pressure and hampered the team’s offensive efficiency, and failing to address it could keep Dallas vulnerable in protecting their QB and executing their game plan.
Financially, Garrett carries a hefty burden. His current contract would cost the Cowboys $14.8 million against the cap in 2025 and $25 million in 2026, not to mention the likelihood of him demanding a new deal averaging up to $35 million annually – in line with today’s top edge rushers. This puts Dallas in a bind, as they’re already committed to massive contracts for Prescott ($200 million), CeeDee Lamb, and soon Parsons. To make the trade work, the Cowboys might need to cut players like Terence Steele (saving $14 million) or even trade another star, thinning their roster depth.
The biggest risk may lie in Garrett’s age and window of peak performance. While still elite, Garrett turns 30 in the 2025 season, whereas Parsons, at 25, is just hitting his prime. If Garrett’s production dips in two or three years, the Cowboys could find themselves having overpaid for a fading star rather than investing in their future.
Initial Reactions
Cowboys fans are split on this scenario. Some are thrilled at the prospect of Garrett and Parsons “wreaking havoc” on opposing QBs, while others worry the offensive line – already the team’s Achilles’ heel – will remain neglected. On social media, the hashtag #GarrettToDallas is trending, with reactions ranging from “Jerry Jones is finally going big!” to “We need linemen, not another pass-rusher!”
Conclusion: Jerry Jones’ High-Stakes Gamble
This mock trade, if it became reality, would rank among the boldest moves in recent Cowboys history. The short-term upside is undeniable: a dominant defense that could push the team closer to a Super Bowl. But the cost – in draft capital and financial flexibility – could haunt Dallas in the long run if it flops. Will Jerry Jones roll the dice to restore “America’s Team” to its former glory? Only time will tell, but for now, this is the hottest topic in the NFL!