NFL Trade Odds: 5 Players the Dallas Cowboys Could Make a Play for

The Dallas Cowboys are in play for a number of players in 2012. One player that the team has made clear that they will stay away from is former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Number one, it would be a mistake for Dallas to choose an aging, possibly unhealthy quarterback with a neck issue. Secondly, quarterback is not the problem for the Dallas Cowboys.

Now that the quarterback issue is out of the way, we can get down to what players the Cowboys may have interest in.

Besides gaining players through the draft, the Cowboys will have to look toward free agency and trades to fill needs on their team. Dallas would be smart to draft a couple, if not a few, defensive backs, offensive linemen, a nose tackle, a tight end and a quarterback. That takes up all seven picks, and the team is still not likely to follow that blueprint.

If not, my thought is that a tight end and nose tackle will be left off the board. If that is the case, here are five players that should be on Dallas' radar.

Editor's Note: This group of players will not be long and will be virtual unknowns. The Cowboys will not be active in trades. 

Aqib Talib, CB, Tampa Bay: 15 Percent

I am a big fan of Aqib Talib because of his potential and talent. When he’s focused and not dealing with legal issues, he can be one of the league’s best young talents.

My thought on this is that Talib will be a free agent after 2012, and according to a report on Yahoo Sports, he has another legal issue wrapped around his waist. This stems from a 2010 incident, so nothing recent.

If Tampa’s new head coach Greg Schiano wants to clean the slate for the team, I believe that Dallas would be a great landing spot for him. The only issue that faces the team with a player like Talib is his problems with the legal system.  

If the team has no leaders, or leadership for that matter, Talib could be a huge failure. Still, I believe its worth the risk because we’ve seen what he can do on the field.

Donald Washington, S, Kansas City Chiefs: 15 Percent

Most percentage points will be set pretty low because I see the Cowboys being more active in free agency. Washington isn't a starter, but has that type of potential. He'll come cheap, only scheduled to make a little under $700,000 this season.

He has yet to record an interception, but as I said before, he's a backup. He's entering his fourth season and may be ready for a breakout.

I give this little to no chance, but I believe he's worth a look.

Ronald Fields, NT, Carolina Panthers: 5 Percent

Fields is an NFL journeyman and will probably end up staying with the Panthers for 2012, or end up being released and signed by another squad.

He can be an OK zero technique nose tackle, something the Cowboys are looking for, and may be serviceable for 2012.

My fear is that Dallas will stick with current nose tackle Jay Ratliff and go out and find an edge rusher instead. Either way, Fields may be worth a gander.

Tim Dobbins, LILB, Houston Texans: 5 Percent

Another low chance that this happens, but Dobbins is learning from the great defensive mind of Wade Phillips, and he's playing behind linebacker Brian Cushing.

He's jumped around to about three teams and has yet to find solid footing in the league. He would only come to Dallas for depth purposes and would not start. He's 245 pounds and is capable of having a great impact on games.

Jarrett Bush, DB, Green Bay Packers: 5 Percent

Bush is a veteran entering his seventh year in the league. He's not a starter with the Packers, but provides excellent support.

He's six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds even. I believe that he can start for Dallas in certain situations and will be a great asset to the Cowboys team as a whole.