The past few years the Dallas Cowboys have been an active participant acquiring players via trade before the deadline each season. The past two years they've acquired Michael Bennett and Amari Cooper that way. With the Tuesday, November 3 4 PM ET deadline quickly approaching, will the Cowboys be buyers, sellers, or just stand pat this year?
With the way things currently stand with the Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL, the unknown future the rest of the season and next due to the Covid-19 pandemic could cause unease amongst owners in regards to making trades. The Cowboys could particularly be wary considering the lack of money they might have next year with the expected decreased salary cap and needed signing of Dak Prescott.
With that in mind, the Dallas Cowboys may value draft picks more than they have in years past. That could put a damper on being buyers prior to the trade deadline, however, maybe that means they will be selling some of their assets this year instead. Whatever they do, or not, it's definitely something to keep an eye on the next couple weeks.
Buyers or sellers? Let's take a look at a few moves the Dallas Cowboys could make. You know… Just for the fun of it.
SELLERS
With the way the Dallas Cowboys season has gone I'm sure there will be no shortage of teams calling them to inquire about making a trade for a certain player. I'm sure the Cowboys brass will listen to every call, although I doubt it's anything more than that. With that said, there are a few candidates who they could potentially part ways with.
Everson Griffen – Everson Griffen's value with the Dallas Cowboys immediately took a hit when Randy Gregory was reinstated by the NFL. He becomes expendable now that Gregory can suit up this week against Washington. For a team looking for an experienced defensive end at an affordable price, they'd be hard-pressed to find better than Griffen. Anywhere from a mid to late 2020 draft pick likely earns a team a former four-time Pro Bowl DE.
Jourdan Lewis – It's become blatantly clear Jourdan Lewis doesn't have much of a future with the Dallas Cowboys. With him set to become a free agent after the season, they'd be wise to go ahead and try to trade him now for a draft pick in 2021 instead of a potential compensatory pick in 2022. The Cowboys secondary is going to be bad with or without Lewis, so they might as well ship him off now to a team willing to forfeit a draft pick next year.
Ezekiel Elliott & DeMarcus Lawrence – Money isn't matching production, which is why I lumped these two together. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys put feelers out there to see what someone would be willing to give up for either or both of these players. If the compensation is agreeable, I'd have no problems parting ways with Zeke or D-Law. Their upcoming guaranteed money could be a problem completing a trade, however, it only takes one interested team.
BUYERS
I personally find it kind of difficult to believe the Dallas Cowboys do much buying prior to the NFL trade deadline this year. In years past they've invested future draft capital to upgrade the roster, but I don't see much point in doing that this season. This is a bad team, however, we can still speculate on potential trades just for the fun of it.
When it comes to “needs” right now the Dallas Cowboys without a doubt could stand some more help along the offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary as well. I've heard Desmond King and Justin Simmons names thrown out there as potential secondary help, although it would take at least a Day 2 pick in 2021 to make those moves. That's probably too steep.
As far as offensive and defensive line help is concerned, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe someone like Chris Hubbard (Browns) or Riley Reiff (Vikings), but again the draft capital it would take is likely too much. The same rings true for any DTs who might be on the trade block as well.
Who knows? The Dallas Cowboys may surprise us and acquire a few players via trade. I personally think it's highly unlikely though. Their season is already circling the drain and I don't think there's anyone out there they can acquire via trade who can come in and change that.
