While the majority of us are preparing for Halloween at the end of October, the Dallas Cowboys and the rest the NFL are focusing on another event that takes place at the end of the month, the trade deadline. There is no way of knowing if the Cowboys will be active or choose to remain pat, but they have until October 31 to decide if they want to be buyers or sellers.
There are certain players on the current roster they could use as trade bait, but they have shown in the past they are reluctant sellers. The Dallas Cowboys instead tend to hold on to their players a little too long. That is why I don't see them getting rid of anybody, but I could see them in the market to add some more talent to the roster.
You sometimes have to read between the lines to try and figure out who might be on the trade block, but other times it's as clear as day. There is also no way of knowing what teams are looking for as compensation, so I'll leave that up to the talking heads to figure out. But if you continue to read below, I'll share with you five players I think the Dallas Cowboys should target before the trade deadline.
Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, CB, New York Giants
It's no secret the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of inexperience in the secondary. In fact, Orlando Scandrick is really the only proven veteran player they have. That is why I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys explore the possibility of trading for a veteran cornerback, and I think Dominique Rogers-Cromartie fits the bill.
Rogers-Cromartie is someone the Dallas Cowboys are very familiar with having had to see him twice a year as a member of the New York Giants. He isn't a spring chicken anymore, but at 31 he still has plenty of football ahead of himself. At 6'2″, he would add some much-needed length to the position and his veteran experience would also prove beneficial for the Cowboys young CBs.
I think Dominique Rogers-Cromartie could be on the trade market because of all of the heated arguments he has had with his head coach, Ben MacAdoo. Those arguments have already resulted in a team mandated suspension, so seeing him jettisoned from the team wouldn't be a complete shock. It's doubtful the Giants would trade him within the division, but I would never say never.
Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts
The entire Indianapolis Colts team is a mess right now and I could see them trying to offload several of their veteran players. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they try to acquire as many draft picks as possible in order to hopefully improve the roster, because they are beyond help, even with a healthy Andrew Luck. Cornerback Vontae Davis could be one of the veterans they are looking to offload.
Davis is in the last year of his contract, which only increases the chance the Colts try to offload him. When healthy he is one of the better CBs in the NFL, but that's the only problem, he's often banged up.
Much like Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Vontae Davis could be a bridge player to help the Cowboys young CBs grow. It's doubtful the Cowboys would make a trade for just a one year rental, so they would have to try and work out a short-term extension. He could help stabilize the position, while not hindering the development of the Cowboys young players.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Buffalo Bills
There have been rumors circulating for a while that the Buffalo Bills have been trying to trade their talented defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. It's somewhat of a surprise they haven't been able to find a trade partner, but that could be due to the fact Dareus has an inflated contract or the Bills asking price.
I kinda doubt the Dallas Cowboys have any interest in the Dareus, but that is most likely due to the money he would add to the salary cap. If not for his big money contract, I believe the Cowboys would seriously consider bringing him in.
The Dallas Cowboys have a need at the 1-tech and Dareus would immediately be the best one they have had in recent memory. At 6'3″, 331, he would not only help fix the problems the defense has had against the run, but would also help improve the pass rush by eating up blockers in the interior. Marcell Dareus might just be the player on this list who could help the Cowboys the most.
Hau'oli Kikaha, OLB, New Orleans Saints
Hau'oli Kikaha is probably not a name many of you are familiar with, but I believe he is someone that could come in and help improve the pass rush for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a former 2015 second round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints, but he seems to have already fallen out of favor with the organization, which is why he was probably a healthy scratch last week.
Unfortunately, injuries have been a big part of Kikaha's career and have followed him into the NFL. An ACL injury wiped out his entire 2016 season, but he is fully healthy now and has already accumulated two QB sacks. The Cowboys have improved at getting after the quarterback, but the future of the position is full of uncertainties.
DeMarcus Lawrence is in the last year of his contract and might be playing himself out of the Cowboys price range. Tyrone Crawford will likely end up being a salary cap casually after the 2017 season, and no one really knows what Taco Charlton will turn into. Kikaha would likely be a pass rush specialist to begin with because of his size (6'3″, 246), but I think he can develop into a starting caliber defensive end.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has been a one-man wrecking crew so far this season, but he can definitely use some help getting after the QB. Lawrence is currently second in the NFL with 9.5 QB sacks, but through six games the rest of the team only has 11.5.
The Cowboys haven't gotten much from Tyrone Crawford, Benson Mayowa, or Taco Charlton at the right defensive end position this season. The only other player along the defensive line showing any consistency right now is David Irving, but who knows how long that will last? That is why I believe Adrian Clayborn should be a trade target for the Cowboys.
Unlike the previously mentioned Hau'oli Kikaha, Adrian Clayborn is a true defensive end, and a proven one at that. Clayborn is a seven year veteran and has accumulated 22.5 QB sacks in his career, including two already this season. I believe he could become available because Atlanta is currently loaded with edge-defenders. Clayborn is stuck in a rotation with Vic Beasley, Brooks Reed, Derrick Shelby, and rookie Takkarist McKinley, which could make him expendable.
