Cowboys acquire former No. 14 pick Broderick Jones from Steelers in 2027 pick swap — a buy-low swing for depth

On paper this isn’t a blockbuster: Dallas surrendered two mid-to-late picks and picked up a fourth-rounder plus a player with top-end draft pedigree. The rationale is clear. Jones entered the league as a high-upside 2023 first-rounder, but injuries, inconsistent play and Pittsburgh’s offseason decisions (they declined his fifth-year option and drafted Max Iheanachor in Round 1) diminished his standing.

Cowboys general manager and coaching staff likely view Jones as a reclamation project who can be had for reasonable draft capital. If he returns to pre-injury form he’s a cheap, team-friendly win; if not, the pick swap is an acceptable cost for depth.

Jones missed games in 2025 after a neck injury that landed him on injured reserve late in the season; reports highlight medical procedures and a cautious rebuild. Before the injury his play had drawn scrutiny — he had allowed multiple sacks and pressures and posted middling PFF grades — which, combined with Pittsburgh drafting a rookie tackle, made a move more likely.

That medical history is central: Pittsburgh attached a fourth-rounder with Jones in the deal, and the Cowboys will almost certainly re-evaluate him medically before inserting him into a meaningful role in 2026.

For the Cowboys, this is about swing-tackle depth and competition. Dallas already expects veterans Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele to handle the primary tackle spots, but the team has been looking for insurance and upside along the line. Jones gives them a player who can compete for snaps and — if healthy — develop into a versatile bookend.

For Pittsburgh, the trade converts a declining asset into draft capital. With Max Iheanachor penciled in after the 2026 draft and the organization signaling a new direction at the position, the Steelers recouped a third-round pick plus another pick to help retool elsewhere on the roster.