Cowboys' Top Trade Candidates Ahead of 2022 Training Camp
The Dallas Cowboys roster is mostly settled heading into 2022 training camp. Some questions remain—Michael Gallup is still recovering from a torn ACL, while the offensive line is in the process of replacing both La'el Collins and Connor Williams—and the final 53 has yet to be determined
With $21.2 million in cap space, Dallas could also dive back into the free-agent pool.
However, the Cowboys appear unlikely to make many major moves between now and Week 1. Of course, things change quickly in the NFL, and one injury or emerging weakness could leave Dallas scrambling to make a trade or looking to capitalize on another team's needs.
With this in mind, let's take a look at the Cowboys' three top—and most logical—trade candidates heading into training camp. We'll examine both why these players could be moved and what sort of value Dallas might expect in return.
Factors like past production, player health, contract status and roster depth were considered here.
G Connor McGovern
1 of 3
With the Cowboys retooling along the offensive line, why would it make sense to deal 2019 third-round pick Connor McGovern? In a vacuum, it wouldn't.
McGovern has started 14 games over the past two seasons and played reasonably well when called upon in 2021. According to Pro Football Focus, he was responsible for only four sacks allowed and three penalties in 973 offensive snaps.
The Cowboys can rely on McGovern for valuable depth along the interior.
However, Dallas doesn't appear to have a starting role for McGovern after using a first-round pick on Tyler Smith. Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones made it clear shortly after drafting Smith that the rookie would compete at left guard while also training to eventually replace Tyron Smith at left tackle.
With Zack Martin at right guard, McGovern projects as a pure depth piece in 2022. He's also set to become a free agent in 2023 and may not be in Dallas' long-term plans.
Therefore, if a contender begins searching for a starting-caliber guard, the Cowboys should be willing to deal. Dallas knows the importance of line depth, but a team may be willing to offer up a quality Day 2 draft pick and/or a solid role player if it is desperate enough for interior help.
McGovern has shown that he has potential, and the 24-year-old could potentially be a long-term starter for a different franchise.
RB Tony Pollard
2 of 3
Like McGovern, running back Tony Pollard is scheduled to become a free agent next offseason. Also like McGovern, Pollard should only be a trade candidate in the right circumstances.
While Pollard is a complement to starter Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys have plans to get him heavily involved in the offense this season. Dallas has even tinkered with using Pollard as a receiver this offseason. Pollard is ready for whatever role comes his way.
"I'm open to anything," he said, per Rob Phillips of the team's official website. "Just being on the field, being able to make the most of my opportunities. If I have to line up in the slot a little more, whatever it takes. I'm ready to do it."
Keeping Pollard for at least one more season makes perfect sense for the Cowboys. But if a team loses its starting running back—or fails to find one—before Week 1, the 25-year-old could become a very valuable trade chip.
Last season, for example, the Los Angeles Rams traded fifth- and sixth-round picks for Sony Michel after Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles before camp. Pollard, who is young, talented as a receiver and who averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2021, would presumably bring much more.
A high Day 2 pick could be realistic if, say, the Cincinnati Bengals lose starter Joe Mixon for the season. That's the sort of value Dallas would have to consider, especially knowing Pollard could depart for a starting job in 2023 free agency anyway.
LB Leighton Vander Esch
3 of 3
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was a rookie Pro Bowler in 2018 and appeared to be a future centerpiece of Dallas' defense. However, his career pretty much peaked that season, Dallas declined his fifth-year option and the Boise State product saw a diminished role in 2021.
Despite playing in all 17 games, Vander Esch played just 58 percent of the defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference, marking the first time as a pro that he's dipped below 60 percent.
While Dallas may have Vander Esch penciled in as a starter alongside Micah Parsons and Anthony Brown, it brought him back on a modest one-year, $2 million deal this offseason. If 2021 fourth-round pick Jabril Cox shows enough progress in his recovery from a torn ACL, Vander Esch could become expendable.
Dallas is extremely high on Cox's upside.
"I think he is coming along great," Jones said, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. "Should be a big plus for us this year. Will fill right in where Keanu [Neal] left off."
If Cox looks like starting material, Dallas could try flipping Vander Esch to a linebacker-needy team willing to bet on a return to Pro Bowl form. The Cowboys couldn't realistically expect more than a high Day 3 pick for Vander Esch, but that's solid value for a someone who may now be a one-year role player in Dallas at best.
Cap and contract information via Spotrac.
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