The NFL Trade Deadline is next week and playoff contenders like the Dallas Cowboys are already in on the action. Just this week the Cowboys upgraded their interior defensive line by trading for behemoth DT, Johnathan Hankins.
With needs remaining at receiver, cornerback, and on the offensive line, the Dallas Cowboys may not be finished. Several notable players are on the trade block and with the NFC wide-flippin’-open this season, the Cowboys may feel the urge to seize this opportunity.
We look at three different players at three different positions that could help the Dallas Cowboys down the stretch.
Trades aren’t exactly common in the NFL but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. And based on recent activity, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t afraid to the pull the trigger at the deadline if they find the right deal. From Amari Cooper to Hankins, they are willing to consider all caliber of players – which is what we’ll do today…
Sidney Jones, CB
Seahawks
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a hit to their CB ranks when they lost Jourdan Lewis for the season after suffering a foot injury last Sunday. While Lewis played inside in the nickel, the Cowboys actually have a bigger need outside on the boundary, and that’s where Sidney Jones enters the conversation.
Anthony Brown, the boundary starter opposite Trevon Diggs, is in the midst of his worst season as a pro. A better nickel CB than outside CB, Brown has been forced to play the boundary in recent years and could see a resurgence moving back inside to his natural position.
Sidney Jones could make such a move possible.
As things stand today, Brown moving is not an option. 2021 second round pick, Kelvin Joseph, has yet to establish himself on defense and 2022 training camp standout DaRon Bland appears to be nickel-only. If the Cowboys can upgrade the outside, they could move Brown inside and allow those young players to develop.
Is Jones an upgrade on the outside?
Maybe. Maybe not. He’s never been a consistent performer and has been a journeyman for a reason. But after takin over the starting job in Seattle last season, he ranked fifth in forced incompletion percentage (20.7), and fourth in receiving yards allowed per coverage snap (0.47) per PFF.
This season, Seattle is focused on developing their young guys and have made Jones a weekly inactive. He’s only played 45 snaps this season and should be available via trade, for peanuts.
This kind of trade isn’t a clear upgrade but it’s cheap and at the very least it adds depth to a suddenly thin unit.
Dallas Cowboys Trade option 2: Isaiah Wynn, OL
Isaiah Wynn is on the block. The former first round tackle has landed in Bill Belichick’s doghouse this year and after getting benched two weeks ago, doesn’t look like he’ll be taking a snap again for New England.
The 25-year-old was once a budding star at OT. But after being asked to move from LT to RT this offseason (something he begrudgingly accepted), New England apparently shopped his value. Clearly, they resisted the urge to trade and now they’re likely feeling regretful.
Wynn was having the worst season of his career before getting benched. His attitude, effort, and ability have been called into question, thus tanking his value.
Jones, always a sucker for a sweet deal, could see this as an opportunity to add to a position of concern. The Dallas Cowboys offensive line has been questionable, to say the least, this season. While good run-blocking, they’re hot trash in pass protection. Next Gen stats has them dead last in pass-block win rate at 45%. To say they could use some help is a bit of an understatement.
Based on previous seasons, we know Wynn is a quality LT. He ranked 30th and 11th over the last two seasons (Steele and Smith both rank 29th and 52 respectively this season). Wynn can also play inside at guard so he gives the Cowboys yet another piece to tinker with, in search of the “best-five.”
He’s young and pedigreed so he’s not going to be cheaper than a mid-round pick. And he clearly doesn’t play the right side so he’s either a LT or LG for the Cowboys. But you can never have enough O-linemen and the Dallas Cowboys have a ton of areas of opportunity through their ranks to make this a worthwhile trade.
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…