At the start of the season, the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive issues seemed to be stalling drives. A trade could help. The only threats the team seems to have at the skill positions are CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson.
One bright spot early on is Hunter Leupke, who seems to be gaining steam as an offensive threat in the running and passing game. This player alone will not help the offense get to where they need to be, but any help is welcomed.
What trade targets could benefit the team as the Dallas Cowboys move into week five of the regular season and beyond?
A Panthers Fire Sale
The Carolina Panthers benched their first-round quarterback, Bryce Young, which could mean they are targeting a high pick in the next draft. Eliminating talent would be the best way to get a high pick.
The Panthers don’t have too many offensive weapons, but one player getting buzz as a possible trade chip is Diontae Johnson.
ESPN’s senior NFL national reporter Dan Graziano named 15 players who could be traded before the deadline, including Johnson. Dan Graziano said:
“Johnson was traded from Pittsburgh to Carolina this offseason, he’s 28 years old, averaged 873 yards per season with the Steelers and is making a mere $7 million this year, in the final year of his contract.
“If you pick him up halfway through the season, you’re paying $3.5 million for a receiver with a solid track record. If Johnson’s production benefits from the switch to Dalton at quarterback in Carolina, he could be the steal of the deadline.”
Many fans will remember Diontae Johnson from his five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had his best seasons as a Steeler, but his production dropped off in his last few years.
His best seasons as a Pittsburgh Steelers player were his second and third years in the NFL. During those seasons, he had good quarterback play, which showed his ability as a receiver.
In the 2022 season, Ben Roethlisberger had a terrible year, and Diontae Johnson suffered from poor play.
2023 was his last year in Pittsburgh. He had Kenny Pickett as a quarterback, and Diontae Johnson averaged over 14 yards a reception. However, his targets were lower than in his rookie year.
As a Carolina Panther, he has had terrible quarterback play, but it is picking up with Andy Dalton as the new starter.
This may not be enough for the Panthers, and they may try to get something for him on the trade market while he still has some value.
The Dallas Cowboys could look at him as a solid number-two receiver to replace Brandin Cooks, who would be a great third option at this point in his career.
Diontae Johnson with the Dallas Cowboys would create fantastic opportunities for the offense. It would open up a dimension the passing game has not had since Amari Cooper was a Dallas Cowboy.
Many teams in the league could benefit from adding a wide receiver who has previously gained 1,100 yards in a season.
Among all the teams, the Dallas Cowboys could particularly benefit from strengthening their wide receiver position.
Disgruntled Las Vegas Raider
The Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams has not been happy with Las Vegas since the trade of his best friend and college roommate Derek Carr. Could Davante want to go to a team with a better chance of winning?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce informed reporters on Friday that Davante Adams (hamstring) and Maxx Crosby (ankle) would be absent from the game against the Browns.
Added to the injury report on Thursday, the 31-year-old Adams wouldn’t fake or exaggerate an injury to miss a game. This could be the team not taking any chances on an actual injury to Davante Adams. If this is true, a blockbuster trade could be in the works.
Would Jerry Jones pull the trigger on a trade of this magnitude?
The trade would be for an established receiver, much like the Amari Cooper trade, who is at his best in nearly any situation on the field.
Having a legitimate quarterback and another superstar receiver on the opposite side would create a situation Davante Adams has never had on a team.
He appeared unhappy in Las Vegas after the beat-down the Raiders were receiving going into halftime of the Carolina Panthers game. This video shows apparent frustration.
What would the Cowboys be getting in Davante Adams? Well, they would be getting an All-Pro caliber receiver.
Over his 10 years in the league, he has 10,990 receiving yards, a 12.3-yard average, and 96 touchdowns. Those numbers would create mismatches for any defense in the league opposite CeeDee Lamb.
Having those two out wide and Brandin Cooks in the slot would make this one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
Support the Team, Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones, the favorite person of every Dallas Cowboys fan (insert heavy sarcasm), is a significant part of the current team’s problem.
Jerry and the front office need to help this team by making a trade to boost the team’s chances of getting good wins. The New York Giants game was not a good win, but a needed one.
If the team is going to compete with the rest of the NFC East and make the playoffs, changes must be made.
These changes can be made through the trade market.
Several teams are struggling and a few know they will not win much. The latter are the teams Jerry needs to be on the phone with trying to make a deal.
The front office has a relationship with the ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders and could pull off a blockbuster with a trade for Davante Adams. It may take a third-round pick and a couple of late-round picks, but it’s possible.
The Carolina Panthers are looking for a future quarterback, and getting something for Diontae Johnson would only help them create a fantastic trade package to move up in the draft.
Every Dallas Cowboys writer has used “Jerry is all-in” numerous times, but it’s time for Jerry Jones to put his money and draft picks where his mouth is. If he is serious about winning, he must find help for this team.
Barely beating the lowly New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are not banner wins, especially not after getting stomped by the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens. So, to accomplish a winning season and a deep playoff run, the Cowboys need a lot of help.
If the team can get offensive weapons to help them start putting up 30 points a game again, it will also help the defense.
One or two trades could get this team to the next level, but it all depends on whether Jerry wants to win or make more money.