3 Players Cowboys Must Consider Trading for at 2023 NFL Deadline
The Dallas Cowboys enter the final week before the October 31 NFL trade deadline as a team that doesn't yet feel complete.
Sure, the Cowboys are 4-2 and still in prime position to make the playoffs. But a 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5 still lingers as an albatross that could signify troubles ahead if and when they make the postseason.
While there isn't one player out there who could flip their fortune in that game, there are moves they could make to push the roster to be more complete than it is right now.
This is a team that should be looking to compete for the NFC East crown and advance to the conference championship game. In order to that, they might need to get aggressive at the trade deadline.
Here's a look at three options they should pursue to make that happen.
TE Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
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Jake Ferguson has been fine as a receiving option in the Cowboys passing game. After him, the production at the tight end position gets sparse.
The Cowboys are in 25th in the league in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end) usage yet they are eighth in 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) and run a good amount of 12 as well.
The point is that if they are going to be in multiple tight end sets, it would make sense to have two tight ends that can actually threaten the defense as pass catchers while also providing some blocking.
Luke Schoonmaker doesn't appear to be ready to be that kind of player as a rookie. Trading for Hunter Henry would give them another tight end to team with Ferguson.
The offense could use another dimension if Dallas wants to be able to challenge the best teams in the NFC. The Pats are 2-5 and Henry is set to be a free agent next season. They should be listening if anyone has an offer for the tight end.
LB Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos
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The Broncos are another team that should be willing to field calls as the deadline approaches. They are 2-5 heading into Week 8 and they are still remodeling the roster with Sean Payton taking over as head coach this offseason.
If teams are looking to raid Denver then Josey Jewell should be among the top targets. The linebacker is a strong run-stopper and consistent tackler. He has 43 combined stops on the season with just one missed tackle.
Markquese Bell has done a nice job at linebacker after starting his career as a safety, but the Cowboys have very little depth behind him and Leighton Vander Esch is on the injured reserve.
The 28-year-old Jewell is set to be a free agent next offseason after finishing out a two-year contract. If the Broncos don't see him as a long-term part of their plan they might be willing to ship him off for a draft pick.
CB Kristian Fulton, Tennessee Titans
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The Cowboys have done about as well as they could to replace Trevon Diggs without outside help. They aren't going to replace his play-making ability or the turnovers he forces, but having enough cornerback depth to get through the playoffs is still a realistic goal.
DaRon Bland has done a good job of stepping up as a starter and Stephon Gilmore has made some plays. however, it would make sense for the Cowboys to target one more corner to add to the rotation.
Kristian Fulton would be an intriguing target. He's not having a strong season to this point, but he gave up passer ratings of 71.3 and 82.8 in 2021 and 2022. However, Fulton is in the final year of his contract and the Titans are just 2-4.
Fulton is only 25 years old and his injury history will likely impact his market in 2024. If the Cowboys trade for him and like what they see he could end up being an affordable long-term option.
Even with Diggs, Gilmore and Bland going into 2024 as the primary starters there would still be room for a player like Fulton to fill out the room.
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