The Dallas Cowboys don't need Julio Jones or any other aged veteran

Peeking around social media this weekend there was one Dallas Cowboys topic that seemed to continually pop up. It was not Dak Prescott‘s ankle, or anything about rookie minicamp, and it wasn’t even about any of the draft picks or players on the roster. It was about Julio Jones wearing a Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt. As soon as the picture started making the rounds, speculation and desire from some took off like wildfire.

Instantly the topic was that Julio Jones was looking to be a Dallas Cowboy. Some ventured to say the Cowboys needed to trade immediately for him. Others took to Twitter and Facebook proposing trades that had anywhere from multiple first-round picks to players, to everything in between.

The Dallas Cowboys don’t need Julio Jones or any other aged veteran

Let’s slow the roll here everyone. Julio Jones is a 32-year-old wide receiver, coming off nagging injuries. The Cowboys have a number one wide receiver in Amari Cooper and just drafted CeeDee Lamb last year. Oh yeah, and they have Michael Gallup. Regardless of what the Cowboys decide to do with Gallup next season, that is as good of a trio as there is in the league. The Cowboys do not need to add an aging wide receiver.

I know, “He is just built differently.” Perhaps, but players age, and when that cliff approaches it comes quickly. You can be built however you like, but at some point, age catches up, father time is undefeated. Why give up draft picks or a younger player for a guy you will be lucky if he is on the roster in two years?

But let’s just say there was some remote interest. The Cowboys have a little under $9 million in cap space, Jones in a Post June 1 trade would cost $7.75 million for just this year, and would carry an $11.5 million hit for next season. The Cowboys currently are over the cap next year (granted the cap has not been set, but they are still over), getting Jones makes zero financial sense. Sure, there are restructurings and things that could still happen, but financially for a 32-year-old wide receiver is still not a smart move.

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So now that we went over age and money, what role would Jones really fill is another question. He would not be your number one wide receiver as that goes to Amari Cooper. Arguably Lamb and Gallup are probably your 2 and 3 in whichever way you want to place them. Jones is not going to take the slot that Lamb would play, which leaves Jones as really only taking over for Gallup. Would Jones really be all that different from Gallup is the real question. The answer is probably not as much as people think. Gallup is probably faster at this point in his career and has chemistry already built with Dak Prescott.

The Dallas Cowboys offense is already considered one of the top five in the NFL heading into 2021. With the weapons on offense, a healthy offensive line, and Dak Prescott back and ready to play, the offense won’t be the issue as long as a repeat in 2020 with injuries doesn’t occur again. Stay the course with the cheaper player in Gallup as Jones being here won’t really change the fortunes of this team.

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No, the Dallas Cowboys do not need Julio Jones. Jones is an aging player whose name is recognizable but coming off hamstring issues is probably not the player people want to believe he still is. Jones can find a home in the NFL for a season or two, but the Dallas Cowboys should not be that home.

Published on 05/25/2021 at 12:10 PM
Last updated at 05/25/2021 at 12:10 PM

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