Dallas Cowboys named surprising landing spot for head-scratching trade target

After two games, it’s clear that the Dallas Cowboys have some work to do. Their defense struggled mightily in their Week 2 victory over the New York Giants, with the secondary standing out as a point of concern.

Dallas did make one move following the loss, signing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. While he’s not going to drop back into coverage, Clowney could help by pressuring the quarterback, minimizing the time defensive backs are stuck in coverage.

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It wouldn’t be surprising to see them look for more help as the NFL trade deadline inches closer, especially if their defense continues to struggle. That said, it would be a shock to see them pursue the player suggested by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox.

Knox identified 10 players on the trading block, including Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford. His reasoning for Ford being on the block is logical, as Ford has fallen out of favor in Cleveland’s offense and is set for free agency in 2026.

Dallas Cowboys named surprising landing spot for head-scratching trade target

Cleveland BrownsRB Jerome Ford runs the ball in the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Browns / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Ford, though, seems to be falling out of favor in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. He saw just seven touches in Week 1 and was mostly in a receiving-back role in Week 2—he did have five catches,” Knox wrote.

“With Ford set to be a free agent in 2026, the Browns may take what they can get for him now. That may not be a lot, but Ford has breakaway speed and has topped 500 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons.”

What doesn’t make sense is Dallas being named a landing spot.

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The Cowboys are getting excellent production from their starting back, Javonte Williams, who has 151 yards and three touchdowns in two weeks. More importantly, he’s averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, which is a huge leap from the 3.7 he had last year in Denver.

To be fair, Ford has the makings of an excellent change-of-pace back. He can be a bit of ‘feat-or-famine’, but he’s explosive and solid out of the backfield. That said, Dallas has been happy with Miles Sanders has given them and they have Jaydon Blue as well, who has yet to make his debut, but could offer much of what Ford does.

So while Knox is spot-on that Cleveland should trade the fourth-year running back, Dallas doesn’t seem to be a logical landing spot.

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images