The Dallas Cowboys made two notable moves during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but their initial attempt to trade up to a higher pick was rejected by the Cleveland Browns.
According to a clip from ESPN’s The Pick Is In, Browns general manager Andrew Berry received a call from Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones while on the clock at No. 9. Berry declined Dallas’s offer, which included the Cowboys’ No. 12 and No. 20 picks in exchange for the Browns’ No. 9 and No. 24 picks. Even when Jones later proposed adding a fifth-round pick to the deal, Berry maintained his stance.
The Cowboys’ push for a higher selection stemmed from reports during the mock draft season that the New York Giants were considering taking safety Caleb Downs at No. 10. However, the Giants selected offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 instead, forcing Dallas to adjust their strategy.
Ultimately, the Cowboys traded down three spots from their original No. 20 selection, acquiring two fourth-round picks in the process. They then moved up to No. 11 to select Downs. Later, the Browns selected offensive tackle Spencer Fano at No. 9, as revealed in another clip from the show. Berry later discussed the Browns’ decision-making process, noting that Fano, Mauigoa, and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson were among the players the team considered at No. 9. Tyson was selected by the New Orleans Saints at No. 8, meaning an additional trade-down by the Browns could have left them without their top targets for their first-round pick.
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