One of the biggest disappointments about the Dallas Cowboys 2019 draft class was the fact they failed to upgrade the safety position. It was viewed by the majority of Cowboys Nation as a “need”, but the Cowboys coaching staff obviously thought otherwise. The chance to upgrade the position through the draft may have passed them by, but that’s not the only way to acquire talent.
The Dallas Cowboys proved last year how the right trade to can dramatically upgrade the roster after they acquired Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders. Trades like this rarely pay off as well as Cooper’s did, but after last seasons success the Cowboys could go this direction once again to upgrade their safety position.
Teams around the league are going to have to make some tough decisions about some of their veteran players because of the incoming rookies they are adding to their roster. This could work out in the Cowboys favor, because I believe there are a couple of talented safeties who could be put on the trade block any day now.
Let’s take a look…
Vonn Bell, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints added not one, but two rookie safeties through the 2019 draft in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Saquan Hampton. Both players have the talent to start as rookies, which should shake things up quite a bit for the Saints at the safety position. This could make either Marcus Williams or Vonn Bell expendable, and if that’s the case, the Dallas Cowboys should pounce at the opportunity to acquire either player.
Marcus Williams is coming off a down year after his second-season with the Saints, but I highly doubt they are ready to give up on him as of yet. Vonn Bell on the other hand is entering the final year of his rookie contract and may not have a future beyond this season in New Orleans. This could put him on the trade block, making him a possibility for the Cowboys.
Trading for Vonn Bell is a bit tricky though. It would basically be a one-year rental unless the Cowboys believe he is the future at the position. In that case, they would not only have to decide on the right trade compensation with the Saints, but also figure out what it would take to lock him up long-term. It’s basically the same thing Dallas had in mind last year when trading for Amari Cooper. It’s certainly doable, but probably a long shot.
Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders
You may have forgotten, but Amari Cooper wasn’t the only the trade the Dallas Cowboys made with the Oakland Raiders last year. They also acquired Jamize Olawale and Jihad Ward last season and could return to the scene of the crime in the hopes of upgrading their safety position in 2019. The player they would be targeting… former West Virginia Safety Karl Joseph.
The Oakland Raiders signed Lamarcus Joyner to a $42 million contract this offseason and further upgraded the safety position when they drafted Johnathan Abram out of Mississippi State with one of their three first-round draft picks. This could ultimately seal Joseph’s fate with the Raiders, especially since he was rumored to be on the trade block last season with Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack.
Unlike Vonn Bell, the Cowboys could essentially get two years out of Karl Joseph. He is in the last year of his rookie contract, but as a former first-round pick the fifth-year option could be applied. Joseph would likely be an upgrade next to Xavier Woods in Dallas, but probably nothing more than a role player it with the Raiders. This trade is much more doable and could end up benefiting both organizations. Maybe swap La’el Collins, who looks to be expendable, straight up for Karl Joseph? Sounds like a win-win to me.
