The NFL offseason is upon us, and with it comes all of the fun that free agency and the draft bring.
While most of social media is completing mock drafts, there are real world negotiations and draft plans being made at NFL facilities.
For example, the Dallas Cowboys are currently in the thick of negotiations with free agent DT Osa Odighizuwa. A total revamp of the defense is underway behind new DC Matt Eberflus, and Odighizuwa looks to be a vital piece of that defense.
As important as defensive tackle is to Eberflus’ defense, there is another position that most would think wouldn’t need attention: cornerback.
It just so happens that there is a cornerback available via trade, and the Cowboys should look to this NFC rival to help bolster the secondary.
The Green Bay Packers have given star CB Jaire Alexander permission to seek trade partners, and even though the Packers would prefer to trade him to the AFC, it’s not out of the question he could stay in the NFC.
He Can Cover Anybody
Jaire Alexander has established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL. A 1st round pick in 2018, his combination of speed, agility, and ball skills make him a standout player.
He has a rare ability to shut down top wide receivers. His best season was in 2022, where he snagged a career-high five interceptions on his way to his second Pro Bowl and 2nd-team All-Pro selection.
I know that was two long seasons ago, but Alexander is still in his prime at just 28 years old, and has plenty to offer a defense.
According to Eberflus, the Cowboys defense will predicate on forcing turnovers, and Alexander’s skills in coverage can help bring that philosophy to fruition.
A Necessary Upgrade
Like I mentioned above, I believe the Cowboys are in serious trouble with their cornerback position before free agency or the draft.
A once formidable Nickel unit of Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis is in jeopardy of featuring solely Bland moving forward, and the defense lacks developing talent besides Caelen Carson.
Diggs’ knee injury is significant, requiring skin and tendon grafts, and his recovery timetable is not clear. It’s possible he can’t return to the field until 2026. He and Alexander are on the same level of elite cornerback play, and a one-for-one sub seems like a good idea for the Cowboys.
Should the Cowboys acquire Alexander and Diggs returns to play in 2025, it will just be an added bonus.
As for Lewis, he is a free agent, and will be coveted by other teams for his elite coverage skills in the slot coupled with his veteran savvy.
Alexander has played in just 14 games over the past two seasons because of injuries. The Cowboys have dealt with enough of that, but if he is healthy, adding him to the defense is no-brainer.
That Darn Pie
There is one caveat to this plan that will probably be the reason it doesn’t happen: Alexander’s salary cap hit.
According to OverTheCap.com, Alexander is set to count nearly $25 million against the salary cap in 2025, making him the second-richest cornerback behind Baltimore’s Marlon Humphrey.
I can see Stephen Jones shaking his head at that number. There are several things the Cowboys could do as far as restructuring Alexander’s deal, but with a looming contract already due for DaRon Bland, would they want to pay another cornerback even more money?
The answer to that is likely no, so if the Cowboys are even thinking of trading for Alexander, they would need to do some accounting magic that I’m not sure they know how to do.
If they can make the money work, there is still another obstacle: trade compensation.
The Cowboys are already without a 4th round pick, and popular opinion says they should be acquiring more picks, not giving them away. Alexander would probably command at least a 3rd round pick for his services, but not so fast.
There is a deal that happened earlier in the 2024 season that could provide some parameters for a trade. The Washington Commanders acquired CB Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints for 4th and 6th round picks.
Dallas doesn’t have a 4th, but they have multiple 5ths to offer. A phone call to the Packers won’t hurt. Hey, it might work in the Cowboys’ favor.