There’s an intense debate unfolding within the Dallas Cowboys fan base. One side believes Jerry Jones should make a relative splash before the NFL trade deadline to mend Dallas' bottom-barrel defense, while the other thinks the season is already lost because of the defense, and that Jones shouldn’t bother trading assets.
Jones' stunning admission to 105.3 The Fan that he would trade the first-round picks acquired in the Micah Parsons blockbuster is what really set this discourse off.
A trade to improve the NFL's best offense, though, has largely been written off by fans. However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Dallas could be a fit for Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright, whom they loved in the 2024 draft and could be on the move as he fizzles out in Miami.
Cowboys linked to possible trade for Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright
"(Jaylen) Wright is a player I've had on my radar for that very reason," Fowler wrote. "A lot of teams were high on him in the 2024 draft, including Dallas, which has a soft need after the Miles Sanders injury."
Now that would be something.
Fowler is right that the Cowboys have a quiet need for another running back. They quietly placed Sanders on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury last week, and it is looking increasingly likely that seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah will be an emergency IR stash this year.
The Cowboys haven't gotten anything out of fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue, who's been active the last two games after being a healthy scratch the first four weeks. He's struggled in limited action on offense, rushing seven times for as many yards without any catches. And he failed to make a splash on kickoff return duty in the absence of KaVontae Turpin.
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Enter Wright, a fourth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2024. He was a healthy scratch in Week 6 after missing the first month of the season, following a small procedure on his lower leg in August. It appears Wright has fallen to third on Miami's depth chart behind star De'Von Achane and impressive rookie Ollie Gordon.
Fowler reported in May of 2024 that the Cowboys "really liked" Wright and probably "would have jumped on him" if they had a fourth-round pick that year. That fourth-round pick was used to acquire quarterback Trey Lance from the 49ers, who made just four appearances in two years in Dallas.
Wright would make for a really fun complement behind Javonte Williams. His stock has never been lower, so he can likely be had for a late Day 3 pick. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, which was the second-fastest among RBs in his class.
While efficient, the Cowboys' run game sorely needs an explosive element. With Blue's stock plummeting following an impressive summer, the front office would be wise to poke around and see if Wright is available.