Shocking Trade Ideas Cowboys Should Pursue Before 2023 Season

The Dallas Cowboys' biggest moves this offseason have come in the form of trades.

The acquisition of veteran wideout Brandin Cooks should give quarterback Dak Prescott additional firepower on offense. The Cowboys' receiving corps was missing a deep threat like Cooks last season.

Meanwhile, star cornerback Trevon Diggs will finally have a strong running mate on the outside. The Cowboys' trade for Stephon Gilmore gives them a dynamic cornerback duo and should improve an already strong secondary.

With the draft and most of free agency now over, trades are the biggest possible domino left to fall.

These ideas might be not pan out, but they are worth exploring as the Cowboys head into the quiet part of the offseason.

Trade OT Tyron Smith

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 18: Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) lines up for a play during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 18, 2022 at tIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Trading longtime offensive tackle Tyron Smith might not be a popular idea. He's been a Cowboy for the entirety of his 12-year NFL career.

However, his value isn't likely to get any higher than it is right now.

Injuries have severely limited the 32-year-old in the back half of his career. He has played 13 games or fewer in every season going back to 2016, and players typically don't get more durable after they turn 30.

Smith played only 271 snaps last season, ceding one sack and earning a mediocre 58.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. The Cowboys restructured his contract this offseason to spread some of the cap burden, but they could save $3 million against this year's cap by trading him after June 1.

Dallas has enough offensive line depth to move on from Smith if it gets a legitimate offer. Tyler Smith showed that he's capable of holding down the left tackle spot as a rookie. Free-agent addition Chuma Edoga and fifth-round draft pick Asim Richards could then compete for the left guard spot.

If other teams come calling about Smith, the Cowboys should at least be willing listeners.

Bring in DT Ed Oliver

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Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) lines up for a play against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The interior of the defensive line has been an issue for the Cowboys in the past, but they are taking steps to fix it. Drafting Mazi Smith in the first round was a big step forward. He should provide them with an ultra-athletic nose tackle for years to come.

The Cowboys have collected quite a few defensive line prospects over the last few drafts with varying results. Osa Odighizuwa has emerged as a decent 3-technique. They've also drafted John Ridgeway, Quinton Bohanna and Neville Gallimore. Ridgeway isn't even on the roster anymore, and neither Bohanna or Gallimore have established themselves as must-play options.

The selection of Smith is a commitment to being better on the inside. Trading for someone like Ed Oliver would be doubling down on that commitment.

Oliver's recent deleted social media activity has led to some speculation that he could be a trade candidate. The 25-year-old is entering a contract year with the Buffalo Bills and will look to capitalize on a hot defensive tackle market.

Oliver's looming contract extension might discourage the Cowboys from inquiring about his availability, but he is a penetrating defensive lineman who can cause problems on the inside. The Cowboys don't have anyone like him on the roster, and he could team up with Odighizuwa and Smith to form a great rotation at tackle.

Trade for LB Devin White

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have legitimate star power at nearly every level of their defense. Micah Parsons is one of the league's premier edge-rushers. Trevon Diggs is an emerging star at cornerback, and Stephon Gilmore has already achieved that status.

That leaves linebacker as the only spot that doesn't have a true game-changer.

With Parsons essentially transitioning into a full-time pass-rusher, the Cowboys are going to be relying on Leighton Vander Esch to be a veteran leader to rookie DeMarvion Overshown and young players like Jabril Cox and Damone Clark.

Making a move for Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White would be a splashy acquisition that could take this defense to an even higher level.

White has proven himself as a playmaking off-ball linebacker. He was a Pro Bowler in 2021 and was named second-team All-Pro in 2020. Last season, he had five pass deflections, two forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks to go with 124 total tackles.

White isn't just a read-and-react tackle collector. He's capable of making his own plays, which would only be amplified by the surrounding talent in Dallas.

White has reportedly requested a trade as he enters the final year of his contract in Tampa. The Cowboys have an estimated $14.2 million in cap space, so taking on White's contract which has just one year and $11.7 million left on it, would be possible with some maneuvering.