FRISCO – Once we plow through the ridiculous notion being fed to us by Jerry Jones that the Dallas Cowboys are considering being “buyers” at today’s NFL trade deadline, the realities come down to foresight.
The 3-5 team is now without injured QB Dak Prescott, faces a continuing gauntlet of the schedule, is burdened by the “Lame-Duck Blow It Up” decision by a front office truly focused on a 2025 rebuild, and is going nowhere.
All those things make any logical GM look to be a “seller.” And if the Cowboys approach today logically? They should let teams pick through their roster full of expiring one-year guys and get something for them.
(Keeping in mind that in a few rare cases, a compensatory pick once a player hits 2025 free agency) might exceed the offered value here.) So here, per CowboysCountry.com insider Mike Fisher, are are their top 10 pieces worth selling off, in most cases almost at any price (and yeah, we’re talking about a bunch of late-round picks, so temper your expectations) … 1 – Zack Martin.
The iconic right guard is 33 and contemplating retirement.
There are emotional reasons to not consider such a thing. Can this era of Cowboys management really afford to be driven by emotion? (Fish has more on this here.) 2 – DaRon Bland. He’s a young Pro Bowl cornerback. His stock will likely never be higher.
He’s not expiring; He will enter the final year of his rookie contract next season. If Dallas isn’t going to employ two $20 million corners? The right offer should be considered here. 3 – Jourdan Lewis. An easy call. He’s a fine player in the slot and a good soldier.
And yes, he’s on a one-year deal that’s expiring. 4 – Trey Lance. Dallas gave up a fourth-round pick for the third-string QB. It’s time to salvage that by taking back anything in return as he’s on the cusp of free agency. (Though we have no idea why a team would want him.) 5 – Eric Kendricks.
This could be a real win/win for somebody. He signed a one-year deal with Cowboys and he’s played well at middle linebacker. Ship him out. 6 – Osa Odighizuwa. A good player but not a foundational one. Dallas needs to weigh what he might bring in a comp pick vs. what it can get now as he approaches free agency. 7 – Linval Joseph.
He came here to help coordinator Mike Zimmer on a cheap one-year deal. But nothing’s really helped this defense. Joseph is 36; if somebody wants him, he’s theirs. Related: Cowboys Trade Of Micah in ‘Conversation,’ Claims Schefter 8 – Brandin Cooks.
Again, he’s a polished pro (who might be healthy this week) and he’s expiring. Does he have any gas left? Dallas should allow any bidder to find out. 9 – DeMarcus Lawrence. Tank talks a lot about his Super Bowl dream. But now he’s at the end of his deal, his $20 million APY paydays are over, he’s banged up …
Lawrence is a free agent after this season and between now and then, maybe the dream happens elsewhere. 10 – Mazi Smith. The second-year first-round pick hasn’t worked out. At all.
He’s still on his affordable rookie contract, so it goes against customary smarts to move him, but … A change of scenery? A new line of work? Something?
