Everson Griffen’s career as a Dallas Cowboys lasted only 7 games and just like that he is now a member of the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys will save about $3 million in cap space and will receive a conditional late round draft pick in exchange for the former pro bowl defensive lineman. Griffen may not have played to his full potential during his time here but he was still one of the better defensive lineman on the team. Clearly, the Jones’s have decided to tank this season and the Dallas Cowboys trade rumurs are swirling at the moment.
Do not despair loyal Cowboys fans. The idea of tanking is not so terrible as it seems. Young players like Reggie Robinson and Bradlee Anae will get an opportunity to show what they can do, learn, and develop. Maybe by trading away some of their star players, a message will be sent loud and clear to the rest of the Cowboys. A message that will resonate in the locker room and improve the overall culture and attitude of the team. Maybe the Cowboys will start winning just like the Dolphins did last season…addition by subtraction. In the NFC East, it wouldn’t take much to go on a run and make the playoffs. More likely though, despite the lack of a true contender in a very weak NFC East, the Cowboys finish near or at the bottom of the division. Tank mode is in full effect and the current version of the Dallas Cowboys will make that an easy accomplishment. As an added bonus, if the Cowboys don’t show a marked improvement the rest of the season, they are virtually guaranteed a top 5 draft pick in 2021. Finally, an opportunity to draft a Joey or Nick Bosa, a Chase Young, a Myles Garrett, a Derrick Brown, or a Jamal Adams. Even, dare I say it…a quarterback! Nah!!! How about we trade back instead. Oh, the possibilities are endless.
So, since we can all agree that tanking is they way to go, I ask you this; Who else could be on the trade block prior to the NFL trade deadline of November 3rd? There are several names that Cowboy fans have been tossing about recklessly including Dontari Poe, Daryl Worley, and Tyrone Crawford. Unfortunately, due to age, poor play, or contract status none of those players carry much trade value. The players with the highest trade value are likely the younger players with expiring rookie deals who the Cowboys will have to pay next season or in 2022. Players like Michael Gallup, Chidobe Awuzie, and Xavier Woods fit that description. Other young players such as Jourdan Lewis or Dorance Armstrong may also have some trade value but have not played well enough to really be considered valuable assets. Let’s not forget the big money players who some fans feel have under performed their contract value. Players such as Jaylon Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper. Realistically, those guys are not valid Dallas Cowboys trade options due to their contracts. Besides, the Dallas Cowboys can’t trade everyone. They still need bodies simply to play out the rest of the 2020 season and they need some roster carry over for 2021.
The truth is, the Dallas Cowboys may be selling but the cupboards are largely bare. By far their biggest asset is Dak Prescott. I am a huge fan of Dak and I sincerely hope the Cowboys sign him to a long term deal. Assuming the Dallas Cowboys franchise tag him again and he makes a full recovery from his injury of course. However, if the Dallas Cowboys cannot come to an agreement with Dak and they draft high enough, it is not unreasonable to consider the option to trade Dak. Dak will surely have high trade value to a team willing to sign him long term meanwhile the Cowboys could potentially draft another young QB to build around. I certainly hope they don’t go this route but it is not out of the question by any stretch of the imagination.
So who will be the next man the Dallas Cowboys trade away? Time will tell who that is, but who it is will be more telling of what the Dallas Cowboys plan will be in 2021.
*Photo by Joe Glorioso All-Pro Reels https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode