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NFL·ANALYSIS·July 18, 2026 06:16 PM ET

Barnwell: Five Cowboys players clear first-round trade-value bar

Rookies Downs and Lawrence also cleared that line

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 181 min read
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What happened: Bill Barnwell's positional trade-value exercise lists CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, guards Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith, and Quinnen Williams as Cowboys who would fetch at least a first-round pick in a trade. Rookies Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence also cleared that bar, while George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey narrowly missed it.

Why it matters: The list reflects Dallas's recent investment at the position, pairing two first-round guards in Booker and Smith and trading for Williams at a first-round-level cost. It also reframes the value question around Prescott's no-trade clause and Lamb's contract, both of which would complicate any real trade market for them.

What to watch: Watch whether the George Pickens trade speculation that resurfaced last month picks back up before Pickens reaches free agency after this season.

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NFLAnalysisDallas CowboysCeeDee LambDak Prescott
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