The NFL appears to be more aggressive than ever in trading players; we typically don’t see any serious conversations until the deadline, but this time around, we are seeing Cowboys trade targets emerge in mid-October.
These rumors come at an interesting time for Dallas, as they struggle on the field and stake claims of improvement and acquisition-based aggression off it.
It seems the Micah Parsons trade, and subsequent increase in draft capital, have gone to their heads.
Nevertheless, it has opened the door for a potential Cowboys move. As we saw with Jonathan Mingo last year, any trade at any time is on the table for a Dallas front office desperate to prove skeptics wrong.
We already know some of the names who could be in consideration, so let’s take a quick look at five of those guys and why they may land in Jerry’s World before the trade deadline.
1. Cleveland Browns Linebacker, Devin Bush
If you were to list out the Dallas Cowboys’ top three needs, they’d read as follows: linebacker, linebacker, and linebacker.
The law firm of Murray & Sanborn has been disastrous for Dallas when they are on the field at the same time, and in the latter’s recent absence, Murray has played even worse. Slotting rookie Shemar James in has helped, but not enough.
Enter Devin Bush, who won’t be the only linebacker on this list. The former first-round pick was a Cowboys draft target in 2019, and he’s gotten back to that form in Cleveland this year.
At 27 years old, he’s developed into a great run defender, and he’s managed to stay healthy. The Browns should be selling, and the Cowboys should be calling for him.
2. Miami Dolphins Running Back, Jaylen Wright
By all indications, the Miami Dolphins, or the Phish, are headed for a complete fire sale.
Mike McDaniel has fallen out of favor with the fanbase, Tua “Turnover” Tagovailoa is flailing in comparison to his pre-draft hype, and the roster construction from GM Chris Grier looks worse than ever.
One of the many who could be shipped out of the Miami mess is second-year running back Jaylen Wright; you may remember that name from the 2024 NFL Draft.
The then-Tennessee speedster was a top draft target for the Cowboys. If they had their draft pick from the Trey Lance deal, he likely would have headed to Dallas, but Miami scooped him up instead.
One year later, De’Von Achane has firmly taken all the running back snaps, and Wright’s potential is being wasted on special teams. This, naturally, has led to trade rumors, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler signaling potential interest from Dallas.
3. New Orleans Saints Cornerback, Alontae Taylor
It wouldn’t be a Cowboys trade targets list if it didn’t include at least one external cornerback.
It’s the only position group that rivals the linebackers for the weakest on the roster, as both DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs have failed to get back to their old ways, and the depth behind them looks worse by the week.
One option for Dallas, if they looked to address this, would be Alontae Taylor from the New Orleans Saints.
He’s generated a ton of trade buzz in recent weeks as Kellen Moore’s squad has failed to produce wins. If the Cowboys want a young, fast, versatile corner, the 26-year-old Taylor may be one of their few targets.
4. Cincinnati Bengals EDGE Rusher, Trey Hendrickson
Just as it wouldn’t be a good list without a cornerback, I’d be ignoring the pink elephant in the room if I didn’t talk about Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals’ All-Pro, superstar pass-rusher will be the hottest commodity on the market in 2025. He was nearly traded before the season, but they inked a pay raise to keep him on the field; that, however, was before Joe Burrow went down.
Cincinnati is no longer in a position to compete, and with Hendrickson on the last year of his deal, it makes sense to move him for the hefty price he’d receive.
Dallas, with their two additional first-round picks, has a leg-up on most of the league when it comes to realistically snagging Hendrickson. It will cost a lot to make it happen, and to retain him long-term, but this dude is worth it.
5. Miami Dolphins Linebacker, Jordyn Brooks
It only makes sense to bookend this list with another linebacker, given how crucial improving the position is for the 2025 season.
Aside from Bush, former Texas Tech Red Raider Jordyn Brooks could attract interest from Dallas. The 2020 first-round pick of the Seahawks is in Miami now, and with their aforementioned sale on the brink, he may be available, too.
Brooks would be a familiar face to Brian Schottenheimer, having spent the 2020 campaign in Seattle together, and would bring much-needed stability at the position.
The NFL’s current tackles leader could quickly become a Cowboy if the pieces fall into place.
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