3 Trades the Dallas Cowboys should explore immediately

Dallas Cowboys trade option 3: Brandin Cooks, WR

Imagine that. After trading away Amari Cooper for cheap, letting Cedrick Wilson leave, and striking out in the draft (at least, so far), the Dallas Cowboys need a WR. Michael Gallup is still not 100 percent and may not be all season. CeeDee Lamb is struggling with consistency. And Noah Brown is fine, but not exactly ideal at WR3.

As a unit, the Cowboys are severely lacking speed and adding someone like Brandin Cooks would add a key element this offense is missing. Defenses would respond immediately and opportunities would open everywhere.

While Chase Claypool would also be an intriguing option, Pittsburgh is said to be asking for a CMC-sized haul in return. Given Claypool’s contract status (rookie contract through 2023) he has extra value but character concerns have to play a part.

Despite being traded seemingly every season, Cooks is a high character player with consistently high level performance. He would slide into the Cowboys attack immediately, letting CeeDee live in the slot and keeping Michael Gallup’s workload reasonable.

What’s important is the Cowboys add someone who has speed and can play outside. Getting CeeDee schemed in the slot (like LA does with Cooper Kupp) is imperative.

Dallas Cowboys at the NFL Trade Deadline

None of these moves would completely break the bank. While Cooks would cost a Day 2 pick, he’d be well worth it and a controllable piece through 2024 (He’s under $20Mper year). But with players like Dalton Schultz and possibly Zeke and Tyron Smith all coming off the books next season, the Dallas Cowboys can certainly afford it.

All of these were areas of concern heading into the season. The Cowboys could have addressed them in free agency, but didn’t. That means they still may not. But with the window wide open in the NFC, they Cowboys brain trust may see this as too good of an opportunity to squander.

We shall see…