After weeks of waiting, the Dallas Cowboys have finally completed a trade with the Miami Dolphins that will bring Defensive End Robert Quinn to Dallas for the 2019 season.
Robert Quinn will do a new 1-year deal with the #Cowboys to complete the trade with the #Dolphins, per source. Some help at right end.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 28, 2019
With Robert Quinn now in the mix, the Dallas Cowboys have pretty much filled all of the holes to their roster and can now enter the 2019 NFL Draft without having to focus on any one specific position. That means they can truly draft the best player available with each of their six draft picks, which should make things that much more interesting.
There is still several weeks to go until the first-round of the NFL Draft kicks off April 25, but don’t expect the Cowboys to be sitting on their hands waiting. They still have quite a bit of work to do and could still make another move or two in free agency. But, their main focus now should shift towards DeMarcus Lawrence and what to do about his potential long-term extension.
It’s been reported the Dallas Cowboys and DeMarcus Lawrence’s representatives are still pretty far apart on the parameters of a new contract. Stephen Jones has even said the two sides are at an “impasse”, which is more than a little concerning considering how important Lawrence is to the Cowboys defense.
I’m personally not too concerned the two sides won’t be able to come to an agreement eventually, but I do find myself becoming a little more concerned the further these negotiation tactics get drawn out. Unfortunately, that’s led me down the road of thinking about what the Cowboys could possibly do if they decided to trade DeMarcus Lawrence.
I’ll go on the record right now by saying I think trading DeMarcus Lawrence is a bad idea. I just have a hard time seeing how they can immediately replace him. Having said that though, there is a trade scenario I could get on board with.
For arguments sake, let’s say the New York Jets got on the phone and wanted to trade for DeMarcus Lawrence. What could the Cowboys get as compensation? To answer this, let’s take a look at the Khalil Mack trade between the Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears.
Here’s what went down to complete that trade:
Bears received Khalil Mack, a 2020 2nd-round pick, and a conditional 2020 5th-round pick
Raiders received 2019 1st-round pick, 2020 1st-round pick, 2020 3rd-round pick, and a 2019 6th-round pick.
Based on this information, the Dallas Cowboys should at least ask the Jets for their 2019 first-round draft pick (No. 3 overall) and their 2020 first-rounder. That may be enough to sway the Cowboys to trade away DeMarcus Lawrence, but for good measure they’d probably asked the Jets to throw in another mid-round pick this year or in 2020.
Let’s pretend this happens. The Cowboys would now need to replace D-Law and now have two first-round draft picks and a potential mid-round pick from the Jets to do just that. That’s not even mentioning the six draft picks they currently hold.
If it was me, I’d go ahead and draft Defensive Tackle Ed Oliver at No. 3 overall and then sign Free Agent DE Ziggy Ansah to play opposite the recently added DE Robert Quinn. I think between the three of them they could adequately replace some of Lawrence’s loss of production.
This is all completely hypothetical, but if the Cowboys can’t work out a contract extension with DeMarcus Lawrence, I think I would be on board if this is how they went about replacing No. 90 after trading him away. Ziggy Ansah is no D-Law, but a defensive line with Ansah, Ed Oliver, and Robert Quinn is pretty intriguing.
I also would hate to lose Lawrence but if he insists on being the highest paid DE in football then I’d be onboard with your trade scenario.
It’s probably a dream trade scenario, but I believe it would take that kind of deal to sway the Cowboys into trading DeMarcus Lawrence away.
If we were to get that 3rd overall pick I would get Quinnen Williams instead
I’m not sure if Williams makes it to 3. I think it’s between him and Nick Bosa for the 49ers. Also, I know the Cowboys are in love with Ed Oliver, but I’m not sure how they feel about Quinnen Williams. I’d be happy with either one though.
I live out here close to where the 49’ers play and from what I have seen they have all their chips on Bosa.
That’s pretty much what I’ve heard too.
I agree except Ziggy isn’t the answer I think we need a slight upgrade I think we will both agree we need to find a way to sign tank at a reasonable price of course
What about danny sheldon
I think contrary to all the negativity surrounding the contract situation, the sides are closer than what one may be lead to believe. One issue is that earlier in the off-season, it was stated that He wanted $20M per year on a long term deal and seemingly that is what the Cowboys are offering, but now the D-Law camp has “moved the stakes” and is looking for $22.5M per year. So what we are talking about is a difference just north of 10%. What’s we don’t know is what kind of guaranteed money he is seeking, which may be a stickier wicket. But, bottom line, I don’t consider these numbers so problematic and I am confident that an agreement can be hammered out over the next 3+ months. What is more concerning to me and makes zero sense is his refusal to have shoulder surgery until the deal gets done. By not having surgery it is likely to be a bit of a poison pill for any team that has trade interest and in the case of staying with the Cowboys it makes it hard to want to pay a player $21-$22M in the first year of a contract where they conceivably miss training camp and may not play a full season. I have no idea how long it takes to rehab from torn labrum surgery but it would be better if he is wheeled into the OR tomorrow instead of sometime in May or June. He seems to think his refusal to have surgery puts the pressure on the Cowboys to get a deal done today. It is the classic game of “who blinks first” and we are all just spectators.
Very well said Randy. I think the two sides will come together eventually on a long-term deal, but like you said Lawrence refusing to have surgery is a concern. From what I understand the recovery time from a torn labrum could put him in jeopardy of not being available for the start of the 2019 season. That’s what I’m hearing anyway.
I am starting to think that if a deal doesn’t get done fairly soon, Tank will eventually sign the franchise tag. Then he will delay the surgery as long as possible and sit out the season on IR. That would fulfill his promise to not play on the tag. Of course that probably would end his career but he would have a $20 million retirement fund.
If Lawrence is unmoved on the 23 million he wants annually . Trade him. He was basically invisible against the Rams. We need to focus on Zeke, Cooper, Dak,Jones & Smith.
Re-signing Zeke is a fools errand. No RB is worth that kind of money anymore. Just look at Gurley’s injury situation. With the workload Zeke has, injury is a matter of time
MAN DO DAT YESTERDAY OR DANNY SHELDON IN THAT MIX
If he’s stuck on hurting the cap to make some stupid point, on top of the surgery thing, then yes, trade him. However, if it’s not for a top ten pick in this year’s draft, the teams first in 2020, and at least an additional 3rd this year, then it’s not worth it, because we won’t replace his production. The only way I’m happy with a D Law trade is if the Cowboys end up with either Ed Oliver, Josh Allen, Montez Sweat, or Clelin Ferrel
Agreed.
Send me some of what you are drinking or smoking
I say trade him, but reality says nobody is going to give Cowboys anything. In a deep DL draft and get rookie contract talent – are you crazy or just trying to elicit responses. Fact suspended once, 3x surgery, 2x for back, needs another, cannot pass physical, may miss games, wants ridiculous $ and moves the goal post $ when actually met.
Rescind tag after draft and see what team will try to sign and give Cowboys 3rd round comp. pick