As we inch closer to the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys made another move Thursday afternoon by trading for Joe Milton.
The Cowboys acquired Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 217) from the New England Patriots for a 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 171) on Thursday.
Talks between the clubs started a few weeks ago and escalated this week during the NFL’s annual meeting at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
Before this move, they had been quiet for the last couple of weeks, so now that the backup to Dak Prescott is in place, I was looking at the available free agents still on the market, and honestly, a few could still help improve the Cowboys if they signed them tomorrow.
The #DallasCowboys made a move on Thursday, trading for #NEPats backup QB Joe Milton and a 7th round pick in exchange for a 5th rounder — is this a good deal for both teams?#NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/FenIvCxqOu
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 3, 2025
Asante Samuel Jr.
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who was most recently with the Los Angeles Chargers, is viewed as one of the 10 best remaining free agents available, per CBSSports.
The 5-foot-10 cornerback has appeared in 50 games over four seasons, though he did play in just four this past year. He has 176 career tackles, six interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
That is the problem, though. He can’t stay on the field, he is a boom or bust type corner, but have you seen the CB room of the Dallas Cowboys? Until Trevon Diggs returns from injury, if they signed him today, he would be the second-best guy on the chart behind DaRon Bland.
Cornerback is a spot that the #Cowboys HAVE to attack today if they want a viable option.
Asante Samuel Jr. and Rasul Douglas are the top names left.
Mike Hilton is an older slot CB, but an option.
No one else should be viewed as a starting option in 2025.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 11, 2025
With him still on the market, I would give him a ring if I was Jerry. This secondary is going to need help until Diggs returns. Early reports say he won’t be ready for training camp and that is a huge red flag.
Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen, who will be 33 in April, finished the 2024 season with 744 yards and seven touchdowns on 70 receptions in his first year with the Chicago Bears.
Sure Allen is at the end of his career also, but would you rather have Allen or maybe Tyler Lockett lined up with CeeDee Lamb & Jalen Tolbert over Jalen Brooks, Jonathan Mingo, or how about Ryan Flournoy?
I mean at least give this offense a chance. They will probably draft a guy in the later rounds and hope he hits.
Like I’ve been saying all of NFL Free Agency… Keenan Allen is better than Amari Cooper & Stefon Diggs currently if you watch the tape
(All 3 are free agents)
pic.twitter.com/QKxyJeB6Cg— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) March 14, 2025
The only way I would not sign Allen is if they could get Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona in the first round, or yes, I think it may be a reach, but I would also not mind them taking Luther Burden from Missouri.
Jedrick Wills
Okay, let me first say that this guy would not make them better the moment they signed him, but it would add depth, and be right in line with the offseason this team has had.
The Cowboys front office had been signing and trading for first-round busts before adding Dante Fowler.
Jedrick Wills Jr. was a top-tier right tackle at Alabama before the Cleveland Browns selected him 10th overall in 2020. Tasked with protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side, he enjoyed a successful rookie season.
Wills wasn’t perfect, but he transitioned from right to left tackle with few issues. Cleveland became a force on the ground thanks to a strong offensive line, winning 11 regular-season games—plus one in the playoffs.
He has struggled since, and honestly would have a shot to be a starter for Dallas if signed.
I think the best of the three would be Allen. I would love to see him added to an offense that has nobody to game plan for outside CeeDee Lamb, and that is going to end horribly if they keep it that way.
Let’s see how the rest of the offseason plays out, because this team has to get better to compete in 2025.