Grade the trade: Cowboys take a chance on former Steelers first-round pick, OT Broderick Jones

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, trading up to secure his position. However, their excitement over the pick faded when they eventually traded Jones to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys sent two draft picks—the third and sixth round—along with a fourth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Jones.

Jones had been dealing with a neck injury and had not lived up to the expectations the Steelers had for him. He had struggled to become a reliable tackle for the Steelers, and when Max Iheanachor, the Steelers' first-round pick, made his preseason debut, Jones became expendable.

For the Cowboys, taking a chance on Jones is a move they often make—drafting highly-rated college players who didn't perform as expected in their first team. While the Cowboys have a solid offensive line with left tackle Tyler Guyton and right tackle Terence Steele, there is limited depth behind them. Jones can serve as a backup tackle at either position. Despite his underwhelming performance in the NFL so far, the 25-year-old is an upgrade over what Dallas had in terms of backup swing tackle.

However, Jones carries a significant medical red flag due to spinal fusion surgery he underwent last year. The Cowboys are comfortable taking that risk, viewing it as an insurance policy at both tackle positions. Given that Jerry Jones is known for reclamation projects, the trade for Jones can be seen as a wise move for the Cowboys. Nevertheless, the grade for this trade is a modest C- due to Jones' past health issues and struggles on the field.

On the other hand, the Steelers' decision to trade Jones was a wise move, as it became clear that his future was in doubt after his spinal fusion surgery. By trading him, the Steelers received some draft value in return, which was a good outcome for a player who was unlikely to start and was in the final year of his rookie deal after the team declined his fifth-year option. The grade for this trade is a solid B, as it allowed the Steelers to move on from a pick that didn't work out and recoup value in the process.