The 2025 NFL trade deadline is almost here, and adding cornerback help is at the top of most Dallas Cowboys fans' wishlists. The Cowboys' CB room has been marred by injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the early part of the campaign, with Trevon Diggs' surprise concussion being the latest issue, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota. l
Needless to say, owner/general manager Jerry Jones must pull the trigger on getting help that the secondary sorely needs before the Nov. 4 deadline.
Several franchises are primed to be sellers in the coming weeks, and the New Orleans Saints — who enter Week 7 with a 1-5 record — could help the Cowboys with their CB needs. Assuming the Saints continue to trend downwards, Jones needs to act fast and call New Orleans GM Mickey Loomis about a trade for cornerback Alontae Taylor.
Projected Cowboys Trade Sends Saints CB Alontae Taylor to Dallas
With Taylor's rookie contract set to expire at the end of the season, New Orleans could be open to moving him now rather than risking losing him for nothing in March. That's why the projected trade below should be enough for Dallas to acquire the former second-round pick from the Saints, who can use all the picks they can get amid the ongoing rebuild.
The above trade proposal sees the Cowboys acquire Taylor in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick. Not only is that a fair price to pay for a 27-year-old CB on an expiring contract, especially after Diggs' injury, but it also gives the Saints a selection that can land an NFL-ready player in April.
Taylor's play has been up and down throughout his career, with his 2024 performance being his worst to date. The former Tennessee Volunteers standout finished Year 3 by allowing a whopping 998 receiving yards, six touchdowns, and a 117.9 passer rating on 79 receptions, culminating in a career-worst 35.4 Pro Football Focus grade, which left fans ready to turn the page.
Fortunately, Taylor has been bouncing back this season, and a trade to Dallas could help him maintain that momentum. The veteran disruptor's 67.5 PFF coverage grade is a new career-high, as he's allowing a personal-best 9.1 yards per reception. Taylor's 68.8% completion rate on passes thrown in the direction of receivers he's covering is also down from last year's performance (71.8%), and he's also broken up two passes. Taylor also hasn't allowed a touchdown since Week 4, allowing only eight catches on 11 targets for 43 yards in the last two games.
Taylor isn't a perfect player by any stretch, but his consistently improving tackling and coverage skills could provide a boost to the Cowboys' secondary. He also tends to split time evenly between the slot and on the outside, opening the door for not only how defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus could use him, but also how other CBs like Diggs (when healthy), DaRon Bland, and Reddy Steward can be rotated.
The Saints are on track to be one of the biggest sellers in the coming weeks, meaning their phone will start blowing up in no time. If the Cowboys are serious about improving their CB situation, and Diggs misses considerable time, Jones needs to call Loomis before it's too late.