Cowboys had been heavily engaged in negotiations with Las Vegas before free agency, reportedly presenting several major offers, including the No. 12 overall pick. Those talks dimmed after the Ravens’ bid, which involved first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, a move Dallas was unwilling to match at the time.
The Crosby trade talks cooled when Las Vegas later asserted that Crosby would remain with the Raiders after a disputed physical, drawing mixed reactions from players and teams around the league. Despite that stance, Dallas has not exited the conversation entirely, leaving the door ajar for a potential future pursuit.
Beyond a possible trade, Dallas is expected to address the pass rush via the 2024 NFL Draft. The club holds two first-round selections—No. 12 and No. 20—as well as a third-rounder at No. 92, giving them multiple options to bolster the defense with a high-impact edge rusher.
Prospects at defensive end and outside linebacker are plentiful in the early rounds, with several players projected to fit Dallas’s needs between picks 12 and 20. The team could consider a single-path approach or potentially double up at the position if the board dictates.
Even with Crosby in play, Dallas will still need to evaluate other defensive priorities, including linebacker help. Top options from the college ranks could influence how the Cowboys allocate their first-round picks, depending on how the board unfolds on draft night.
Ultimately, Dallas’s strategy remains flexible: pursue a veteran pass rusher if the price is right, or lean on the draft to build a long-term edge without compromising ongoing roster development. The Cowboys’ front office will continue weighing options as the offseason progresses.
