Dallas Cowboys should trade a star on offense to fix the defense

The Dallas Cowboys defense is horrifically bad, so should they consider trading a star offensive player to improve it?

After watching the Dallas Cowboys play the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks this season, the one negative common denominator in those games was the defense.

The Dallas Cowboys offense has been nothing short of spectacular this season. In fact, Dak Prescott threw for a whopping 1,188 yards and  accounted for a total of eight touchdowns. There’s so many good options on offense, not everyone gets to eat each week. Which brings us to the defense…

You know the Cowboys defense that allowed Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to pass for five touchdowns (six when you count the 2-pt conversion) and be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame after the game.

I mean  Wilson played well, but the Cowboys secondary made him great. And because the Cowboys secondary is hurt and inexperienced, there’s no easy fix for the secondary unless the Cowboys seek a trade.

That’s why, ladies and gentlemen, the Cowboys should trade one of their star players to improve their defense.

Since the Dallas Cowboys don’t have any extra players on the defensive side of the ball to use as trade bait, that leaves the talented offensive side of the ball as the only legit choice. So which player(s) could that be?

Before I reveal this player, let me preface my statement by saying that I’m a big fan of this guy and I honestly don’t want him traded, but if Dallas’ front office could receive a really good player and draft pick in return, I would definitely understand the move.

Dallas Cowboys Trade Option No. 1

The first player for consideration is Dallas’ outstanding wide receiver Michael Gallup. I know your mouth is wide open with shock and you’re probably calling me one crazy and delusional man, but just hear me out.

That’s why I prefaced my statement! Can I have my head back!

Listen, Gallup is a number one receiver that’s on path for his second consecutive 1,000 yard season and first Pro Bowl bid. There are several teams that would trade for Gallup’s services and would be open to trading one of their defensive backs and/or surrendering some draft capital to Dallas for this budding superstar.

Another reason why Gallup is prime trade bait is because is Dallas’ receiving corps is loaded with talent and Gallup is the odd man out by default. After watching Cedrick Wilson explode against the Seahawks with five receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns, Dallas’ receiving corps went from great to absolutely elite, especially if Wilson can consistently play at that level.

Wilson now joins the elite group of Gallup, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Noah Brown. Of course, there’s tight end Dalton Schultz. This is what I mean when I say Gallup is the odd man out.

For sake of discussion, lets just say Wilson continues to have a  break out year where he paces seven touchdowns and 700-800 receiving yards. If that happens, Dallas would feel more comfortable pulling the trigger on a trade because now they have a comparable receiving threat to go along with Coop, CeeDee, Brown, and Schultz.

If there is a team who isn’t going to make the playoffs, why wouldn’t they trade for Gallup and dump one of their good defensive backs in return. Remember, the NFL is an explosive, offensive-driven league, and someone with Gallup’s talent will only add offensive firepower to that team.

In today’s NFL, a team would rather be top-heavy on the offensive side of the ball like Dallas than to be defensive dependent with no offensive firepower. Why do you think Dak leads the NFL in passing yards. Dak has the weapons to make it happen.

So if Dallas decides not to do an in season trade, here is another scenario Dallas must seek out, and it further explains why Gallup is the odd man out. More likely than not, Gallup will continue to play at a pro bowl level and command a big pay day.

We already know Dallas isn’t going to pay Gallup, so Gallup will walk in free agency after his contract is up, and Dallas will get nothing but a comp pick in return.  Instead of letting Gallup walk with no compensation, Dallas could trade Gallup during the 2021 draft for a defensive player (it doesn’t have to be a corner/safety) and use that draft pick to upgrade their secondary.

Dallas will kill two birds with one stone and won’t skip a beat with its high powered offense because tight end Blake Jarwin will return next season to join an already elite receiving corps.

Dallas Cowboys Trade Option No. 2

Now the trade bait don’t stop at Gallup, either. Dallas could wait until the draft and do the same with Coop. Yep, I said it. Why? Well, Amari Cooper is a Pro Bowler, but he takes himself out of games so much I’m starting to wonder if he’s a player/coach.

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I’m a Coop fan, but I have to call a spade a spade. Coop is definitely a good receiver, but when the game is on the line, Dallas’ $20 million dollar man needs to be front and center on the field catching passes and scoring touchdowns for his much scrutinized franchise quarterback.

Come on Coop, Dak needs you when it matters the most. 

Just like Gallup, a team will trade for Coop and his contract because Coop is good and might garner a higher draft pick and then some. If Coop balls out and puts up big numbers, Dallas will have their pick of the litter when it comes to finding trading partners.

Don’t laugh at me. I’m serious.  Remember what I said about the NFL being an offensive driven league.

Or Dallas can sit back and not do anything and hope its secondary plays better. Or take my advice and finally fix this putrid secondary once and for all.

• Published on 10/01/2020 at 11:01 AM
• Last updated at 10/01/2020 at 09:20 AM