Dallas added former first-round tackle Broderick Jones, betting his upside survives recent neck surgery and years of uneven protection in Pittsburgh.

The Dallas Cowboys needed offensive tackle depth. They found it Saturday—but it arrived carrying considerably more risk than certainty.

Dallas is acquiring Broderick Jones and a future fourth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for third- and sixth-round selections. The reported trade package gives the Cowboys a 25-year-old former first-round tackle who desperately needs a career reset.

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It also gives them another major medical question.

Jones suffered a significant neck injury during Pittsburgh’s Week 12 loss to Chicago last season. He missed the Steelers’ final six games and underwent spinal-fusion surgery during the offseason.

That history can’t be dismissed as background noise.

Jones was cleared for football activity in late July—roughly eight months after the injury—and played throughout Pittsburgh’s preseason. He logged 52 snaps in his first game back and continued playing deep into the fourth quarter during all three exhibitions.

That workload suggests Jones can handle contact. It doesn’t guarantee the neck won’t affect his durability, strength or technique over a full NFL season.

For an offensive tackle, any loss of flexibility, balance or confidence can become a serious problem. Jones will spend every game colliding with powerful edge rushers who specialize in converting speed into force. Dallas’ medical staff presumably reviewed the surgical recovery before approving the trade, but a passed physical isn’t a promise of future health.

The football concerns existed before the injury.

Pittsburgh traded up to select Jones 14th overall in 2023, believing the former Georgia standout could become a franchise left tackle. Instead, he surrendered 22 sacks across 45 appearances and 38 starts—the fourth-highest total among NFL tackles since he entered the league.

Jones received a 57.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, ranking 70th among 89 qualifying tackles. Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option before eventually replacing him with 2026 first-round pick Max Iheanachor.

So why would Dallas make the deal?

Because Jones still possesses the size, movement ability and pedigree that made him a first-round prospect. The Cowboys also don’t need him to become an immediate cornerstone.

Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele remain the expected starters. Jones can begin as the swing tackle, provide insurance on both sides and work with a different coaching staff without carrying Pittsburgh’s expectations.

That’s the optimistic version.

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The pessimistic version is that Dallas surrendered valuable draft capital for an inconsistent blocker coming off spinal-fusion surgery.

Jones doesn’t have to become a star for this trade to work. He must stay healthy, protect Dak Prescott and prove Pittsburgh gave up too soon.

If he can’t, the Cowboys will have added another expensive question to an offensive line already carrying too many.