DALLAS — Few teams in the NFL are more active after the draft than the Dallas Cowboys. By waiting to sign any free agents, the Cowboys avoided losing any compensatory picks that they may have accrued during the early part of free agency.
In recent years, the strategy has led the organization to sign pass rusher Everson Griffen, as well as safeties Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse. Griffen didn’t have the impact that Dallas expected, but Hooker and Kearse played well, showing how the Cowboys’ patience in building the roster can sometimes pay off.
Another tool that the front office likes to utilize is trades for veteran players. Last year Dallas made two astute swaps when they acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks for late round picks. Both vets had a positive influence on the 2023 season with Cooks still around as one of Dak Prescott’s favored red zone targets.
Could that success lead to another trade or two to help the Cowboys improve at positions that they’ve failed to address so far in the offseason? Jerry Jones is rarely shy about making these types of moves and armed with four compensatory picks in next year’s draft, the team might be willing to part with some of that capital to get better for the 2024 campaign.
If the Cowboys were to head down that path again, these trades might make some sense:
RB Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears
The Bears signed running back D’Andre Swift this offseason to be their starter after selecting Roschon Johnson in last year’s draft. Both RBs are listed ahead of Khalil Herbert on the current depth chart as the fourth-year runner is heading into the final year of his rookie deal.
Herbert has shown that he can churn out yards when given the chance, with five 100-yard games in his first three years in the league while averaging almost five yards per carry. When the Bears have needed Herbert to be the starter, he’s performed well, yet they haven’t shown that they are willing to name him the full-time guy.
Herbert’s salary also fits in perfectly with what the Cowboys would be willing to pay, and for a later draft choice, Herbert is a good match. The Cowboys don’t currently have a true No. 1 RB and despite Ezekiel Elliott and Royce Freeman joining the team, Herbert would come in and compete to be the starter with the veteran duo, along with Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn. At just 26-years-old, Herbert would give the offense a young, fresh set of powerful legs.
WR Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
It’s been a busy offseason for the Titans, where they have continued to add wide receivers on offense. The team signed Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million deal with $50 million guaranteed, and recently added former Cincinnati Bengals WR Tyler Boyd.
Signing two wideouts to go along with DeAndre Hopkins could be a sign that the Titans aren’t enamored with Burks. Selected with the 18th pick in the 2022 draft, Burks hasn’t lived up to his potential in Tennessee and a change of scenery might be a way to get the most out of him. Burks has just 665 yards and one score in his first two seasons, but injuries and subpar quarterback play have limited his production.
The young WR doesn’t have the long speed that the Dallas offense covets, but he’s a game-breaker in the open field and would be a more physical receiver than what the Cowboys currently have on offense.
Jones has an affinity for Arkansas players and Dallas has a need for depth at WR, so taking a chance on a former high draft pick who hasn’t worked out elsewhere could be a good gamble. Sending the Titans a late round pick for Burks is a high upside move that the Cowboys should be willing to make.
RB Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers
Another RB who might be available is Sanders, who signed a four-year deal with Carolina last offseason after spending most of his career facing Dallas often as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Now Sanders could be the odd man out after the Panthers drafted Cowboys crush Jonathon Brooks in the second-round of this April’s draft.
The Panthers also have last year’s leading rusher, Chuba Hubbard, in the backfield and are expected to sign veteran RB Rashard Penny.
That’s a crowded group and the Panthers could save money by moving on from Sanders after one season. Just as they did last year when they traded for Cooks, the Cowboys could re-work the deal to reduce his cap hit and add Sanders at lower than the $4 million that he’s due to earn this season.
The Cowboys could wait to see if Sanders is released at some point, but if they trade for him, they wouldn’t be competing for his services. Sanders is also just 27-years old, and one season removed from his career-best year, so he has the juice to add life to a plodding backfield in Dallas.
Do you think the Cowboys should trade for a veteran to bolster their roster? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
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