Remember the 2004 draft? The Cowboys are on the clock, they need a running back, and Steven Jackson is available. The commissioner walks up to the podium and… “The Cowboys have traded…”

I think almost every fan was thinking “Oh no! what did they just do?” But, after the shock wore off a few minutes later, I thought it was a good trade. I still think it was a good trade. A number one pick for a number one and a number two is usually a good trade.

Now, I am not saying I would take Julius Jones and Marcus Spears over Steven Jackson, which could be debated and there would be, I’m sure, many different opinions, but the trade itself was solid. Remember, no one knew how good Steven Jackson would be, and everyone expected the Bills pick in 2005 to be higher than the Cowboys pick in 2004 (and it was – but just by two spots).

A trade down in the first round can be a very good thing. Remember trading down and still picking up Roy Williams? And trading out of the first round completely can often be a good thing because it usually means an extra first round pick the next year.

I say this as a word of warning: Don’t fall out of your seats if the commissioner steps up to the podium when Dallas is on the clock and announces a trade. Even if ‘your guy’ is still on the clock. A trade down can be a good thing.

And, I say this because it may very well happen. Jerry Jones has not dismissed the possibility of trading down, or even trading up. He even mentioned there were a couple of deals on the table for the Cowboys trading out of the first round and picking up a first round next year – hinting that the teams had high draft picks this year so the trade might end up as a high draft pick next year.

It can be a good thing. Not only have the Cowboys covered most of their bases in terms of team needs, but I don’t think this draft class is one of the better ones – at least as far as first round talent goes. Last year it looked like there were a dozen superstars waiting to happen. Think about this: JaMarcus Russell may very well go number one over all and, personally, I would have had him ranked behind Young, Leinart, and Cutler last year.

Here is another thing to consider: The Cowboys might be thinking about getting a receiver. There’s no way they are going to get Calvin Johnson – who I think it would be crazy for the Raiders to pass on no matter what their need at quarterback is – but there are a lot of other talented guys out there. In fact, while I am not altogether impressed with the top talent in this draft, wide receiver is one of the positions where I think a good player can be found all the way through the second round. It is one of the stronger positions in the draft.

So, if the Cowboys are thinking receiver, trading out of the first round, getting an extra first round pick next year, and still getting a solid receiver… that would be very tempting and probably the best move.

Remember, in the draft you are always weighing talent with position. The last thing you want to do is overreach for a position and pass on more talented players. But that doesn’t mean you don’t target a position – it simply means you try to trade down and match the position with the talent at the top of the board.

The Cowboys have also followed a philosophy of not trading up in the first round, but Jerry Jones has mentioned he has reversed his thinking on that. If a top draft choice slips, especially if they slip into the late teens, the Cowboys might use their leverage of having ten draft picks and no glaring needs to scoop the player up. He has all but ruled out trading away a first round pick next year (so don’t expect the Cowboys to trade into the top ten) but there definitely could be some movement in either direction in that first round so don’t just turn on the television when the number twenty-two pick comes around!

And, if you are like me and actually enjoy watching the draft, it should, at least, be interesting.