Cowboys' WR Trade Looks Even Worse After Commanders Make Big Splash

As the NFL trade deadline approached, Dallas Cowboys fans desperately wanted owner/general manager Jerry Jones to add another credible receiver to Dak Prescott's arsenal. The Cowboys' aerial attack has left much to be desired throughout the year and it's safe to say that they need more than just CeeDee Lamb to turn things around.

Excitement spread across the fanbase early Tuesday when Jones teased the addition of a receiver that the Cowboys "like a lot," per NFL insider Jon Machota. A lot of that excitement disappeared when it was revealed that the wideout in question was the Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Mingo, who Dallas acquired shortly after the initial rumor.

With all due respect to Mingo, he isn't the game-changer that Cowboys fans wanted. It doesn't help that a fourth-round pick seems like a steep price to pay for a struggling wideout who's only averaging 13.4 receiving yards and 1.3 receptions per game this season.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys' latest trade only looks worse after the deal an NFC East rival just pulled off.

Cowboys News: Commanders Acquired CB Marshon Lattimore From Saints

The Washington Commanders have acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a fifth-round selection from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for three draft picks, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old defender was one of this year's top trade deadline pieces due to the Saints' 2-7 start to the campaign.

Even though it isn't fun to compliment division rivals, credit should be given where it's due. The Commanders proved that they're serious about going on a potential Super Bowl run by acquiring Lattimore while the Cowboys are clearly content with the status quo otherwise they would've made a real splash.

In a vacuum, rolling the dice on Mingo makes sense. He's a former second-round pick who showed promise during his time at Ole Miss before recording just over 400 receiving yards on 43 receptions in his first NFL season. If the change in scenery helps, Dallas could have a solid pass-catcher on its hands.

At the same time, you can argue that the Cowboys could've gotten a lot more value out of their fourth-round pick.

After all, it only took the Baltimore Ravens a fifth-round pick to acquire Diontae Johnson — who has much more experience than Mingo — from the Panthers. The Pittsburgh Steelers also only needed a fifth-rounder to add Mike Williams, which was also the same price the Kansas City Chiefs paid to bring in DeAndre Hopkins.

At this point, Jones may have well held a press conference to acknowledge that the Cowboys won't be competing for a Super Bowl... again. All of the eccentric owner's talk about going "all in" and being confident in what he has means noting if Jones isn't going to put his money where his mouth is when it counts the most.

After a quiet trade deadline, it's clear that the Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC East. Jones has, yet again, made it clear that he has no desire to actually end the franchise's Super Bowl drought and any plans for a championship parade will be put on hold for the 29th straight season.

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