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We’re quickly approaching the point in the preseason where the Dallas Cowboys, just like every NFL team, are going to have to make final decisions when it comes to their 53-man roster.
There will be internal wrestling matches had over players to keep, guys to let walk, and in some cases people to trade or trade for. Dallas hasn’t been a team to shy away from trades just before (or after) cut downs in recent years, there are multiple examples of them acquiring players in the eleventh hour.
With all that being said, considering how deep the Cowboys roster currently sits in the minds of many, could they actually be considering trading someone away from the team? It makes sense, and according to Stephen Jones there are interested parties.
Stephen Jones told us after the luncheon that the Cowboys have received calls about their offensive and defensive line depth, and he thinks there's "a possibility, for sure" that they could move someone during cut weekend. #cowboyswire
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) August 28, 2019
Trading away players is always a risk because the moment you let go of depth you immediately make yourself more vulnerable in the event that you need said depth. Still though, if the Cowboys find the right deal it always makes sense to negotiate and perhaps they’re going to.
Considering Stephen Jones mentioned the offensive and defensive lines specifically as points that could be picked off by other teams, who are potential names? We’ve got three right here that would certainly make some sense.
Joe Looney
The Cowboys have an incredible luxury along their offensive line in that they have someone who played center for them all of last season that doesn’t look like he’s going to crack the starting lineup this season. That’s good.
Joe Looney filled in admirably for Travis Frederick last season but the reality is that the latter is now back and ready to resume his duties as the team’s starting center. If there was a team looking for center help (the New England Patriots just happen to be a team that might be in need for example), it makes sense for them to consider someone with as much experience as Looney.
Daniel Ross
There are seemingly too many defensive linemen for even Rod Marinelli to play with this season and that of course includes defensive tackles. You can count on Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods, and Trysten Hill making the team, but outside of that it comes down to one spot between two players.
The Cowboys have had Daniel Ross around the team for a while now but they also signed Christian Covington in free agency this past offseason. If they believe that Covington is the better option for them and especially considering Hill’s potential growth in that department, it would make sense to flip a guy like Ross to a tackle-hungry team.
Taco Charlton
Nothing would get another fan base excited like trading for a former first-round pick, right?
The truth is that next offseason the Cowboys will have to decide whether they want to pick up Taco Charlton’s fifth-year option and the strong likelihood is that they won’t. The team is loaded with defensive ends at the moment (especially with a rookie like Joe Jackson coming on) and that situation could be exacerbated all the more if and when Randy Gregory is allowed to return from his suspension.
Part of why it makes the most sense to consider flipping Taco, especially now, is that his stock is as high as it has conceivably ever been with the Cowboys. Taco has played well throughout the preseason and had a particularly great game last Saturday against the Houston Texans.
What do you think? Should the Cowboys consider adding depth somewhere else or stocking up on future picks by shipping away some of the depth they’ve established on either line? Or should they play it safe?
Poll
Who should the Cowboys trade away?
This poll is closed
-
4%
Joe Looney
-
29%
Daniel Ross
-
54%
Taco Charlton
-
3%
Other (answer in comments)
-
8%
None