Cowboys' Top Hypothetical Trade Packages for Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Cooks, More
The Dallas Cowboys fell in the divisional round of the playoffs and will spend the bulk of the 2023 offseason gearing up for another postseason run. It will be challenging.
The Cowboys face an $11.5 million cap deficit, and that doesn't include running back Tony Pollard. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Dallas plans to use the franchise tag on Pollard if it cannot extend him before the March 7 deadline.
While the Cowboys can find creative ways to clear cap space, they may not be able to find the room to chase top free agents on the open market. Because of this, Dallas could look to the trade market to fill notable needs.
Many trades would still be costly, but they would come with a fixed price and without the need to engage in a cap-related bidding war.
With this in mind, let's dive into some of the latest NFL trade buzz and examine what trade packages could look like for Dallas this offseason.
Jalen Ramsey
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Cowboys Get: CB Jalen Ramsey
Rams Get: OT Tyron Smith, 2023 fourth-round pick
The Cowboys fared well in pass defense in 2022, ranking eighth in yards allowed. However, Dallas ranked a more modest 14th in passing touchdowns surrendered (23) and could lose cornerback Anthony Brown in free agency.
Adding a top-tier cornerback would make plenty of sense for the Cowboys, and one could be available. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Los Angeles Rams have considered moving cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
"I know they've had some interest in Jalen Ramsey. We'll see if he ends up getting traded. As far as what that price could look like, it might even be a first-rounder," Rapoport said on NFL Network (h/t Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire).
Ramsey—who allowed an opposing passer rating (OPR) of just 84.5 in coverage last season—would be a fine addition opposite Trevon Diggs in the Dallas secondary. However, a first-round pick might be a little rich, especially considering the Cowboys' cap situation.
Theoretically, a first-round pick would be able to contribute right away.
As a creative solution, the Cowboys could consider including offensive tackle Tyron Smith as part of a trade package. Now, there has been no buzz about Dallas looking to move Smith, but he is in the final year of his contract, and the Cowboys have an in-house replacement in 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith. Trading Smith would also save $9.6 million off the cap.
Dallas could swap a player on an expiring contract for a premium corner who is under contract through 2025. Los Angeles, meanwhile, could get help for an offensive line that allowed 59 sacks in 2022. Given the contract statuses, Dallas might have to sweeten the deal a bit, but this hypothetical package would allow them to keep their first-round selection.
Shaquill Griffin
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Cowboys Get: CB Shaquill Griffin
Jaguars Get: 2027 seventh-round pick
If the Cowboys balk at the price of acquiring Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin could be a nice alternative.
Griffin missed the bulk of last season with a back injury and wasn't particularly effective the year before (109.5 OPR), but he was a Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He's a tier or two below Ramsey, but he's only 27 years old and could likely be acquired on the cheap.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Jaguars plan to release Griffin if they are unable to trade him.
With Griffin on the way out one way or another, Jacksonville would likely take what it can get to unload the final year of his contract. Dallas would have to take on his $11.5 million base salary, but a late Day 3 draft pick would probably get a deal done.
This isn't the sort of deal likely to excite Cowboys fans, but it would allow Dallas to address a need without giving up premium draft capital or veteran talent.
Brandin Cooks
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Cowboys Get: WR Brandin Cooks
Texans Get: 2023 fourth-round pick, 2024 fourth-round pick
The Cowboys could also use another complementary receiver. Dallas looked to fill that role throughout the 2022 season, which ultimately led them to veteran T.Y. Hilton late in the year. Hilton and fellow wideout Noah Brown are scheduled to reach free agency next month.
During Dallas' in-season search for a pass-catcher, the Cowboys reportedly came close to acquiring Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans.
Cooks isn't interested in being a part of Houston's rebuild, and he has requested a trade this offseason. Circling back to Cooks would make plenty of sense for Dallas.
With Cooks' $18 million base salary guaranteed and on the books for Houston, the Texans won't be inclined to let Cooks go for proverbial pennies. However, a couple of early Day 3 selections could be enough to get Houston's attention, since Cooks has no desire to play in Houston this season.
Houston could move on from a player who doesn't want to be there, while Dallas could get a receiver who posted a 1,000-yard campaign as recently as 2021.
*Contract and cap information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference
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