Without a doubt, Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos was the most pivotal contest of the year for the Dallas Cowboys.
And they left their stirrups back in Frisco.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching and the jury still out on exactly who the Cowboys are, they had a chance to right the train onto a winning track with a signature win over the Broncos. Instead, after a 44-24 loss in Denver, the jury has come back with a different verdict: This team is too inconsistent to compete for a playoff spot.
As a result, the Cowboys should stay far away from acquiring any loan-type players as the deadline approaches on Nov. 4. Instead, they should be looking to offload some expiring contracts to acquire draft capital to rebuild what has become a consistently porous defense.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said to 105.3 The Fan before the game that the team is looking “hard at defensive help” ahead of the deadline, while executive vice president Stephen Jones said that the Cowboys have called all 31 other teams to get a gauge of what’s available.
It’s reasonably agreeable to add talent, but only to a certain extent. Even after Sunday’s loss, it makes sense to add help to this defense if it’s available. But at this time of the year, when teams are trying to offload expiring contracts for draft picks, the Cowboys cannot and should not bite. If a player arises that still has years left on his deal and can help beyond 2025, then absolutely. Take the swing.
But when names like Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Titans cornerback Roger McCreary and Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips get thrown around, the Cowboys should stay away. The list also includes other trade block candidates such as Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen, Jets cornerback Michael Carter II, Titans outside linebacker Arden Key, Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and Texans outside linebacker Christian Harris.
The priority at the deadline should be doing exactly what those teams are trying to do. Offload expiring deals and build up a vault of draft capital to build with in the offseason.
Whom should Dallas try to sell at the deadline?
Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert is in the final year of his rookie deal, and his role in the offense has drastically decreased from his career-high production in 2024.
Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert catches a 35-yard touchdown from Joe Milton III against Broncos cornerback Riley Moss during the fourth quarter Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. Jamie Schwaberow Getty Images
With the addition of George Pickens and the depth emergence of Ryan Flournoy, the writing is on the wall that Dallas won’t need Tolbert’s services beyond this season. After hauling in 49 receptions for 610 yards and seven touchdowns last season, his proven production absolutely has value for any receiver-needy teams.
Defensive end Sam Williams, who is also in the final year of his rookie contract, could have some value for any team looking to add a starting-caliber pass rusher. He hasn’t lived up to the training camp hype that the coaching staff built up for him, and his undisciplined play continues to cost the Cowboys’ defense. The value may not be anything more than a day three pick, but it’s worth seeking out.
A proven starter who is almost certainly going to find a starting job elsewhere in the offseason, guard T.J. Bass has great value for any team needing a starting interior lineman. His play since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2023 could land Dallas a solid draft pick for a desperate team.
Even though he’s not on an expiring contract, it could be time to end the Mazi Smith experience. The 2023 first-round pick at defensive tackle has swapped in and out with seventh-round rookie Jay Toia on the inactive list through eight games and has failed to find any consistency since being drafted. As a former first-round pick, there’s most likely a team out there that would gamble a day three pick for his services.
There’s another non-expiring contract — but maybe less realistic given what that contract looks like. If a team is willing to take cornerback Trevon Diggs, you take whatever you can get after his latest debacle with the team.
What Jerry Jones said about deadline buzz
After the game, Jerry Jones was asked about if the loss to the Broncos changed his pregame tune about taking that hard look at defensive help.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, seen before Sunday’s game in Denver, acknowledges that the defense cannot be fixed by one trade. Jamie Schwaberow Getty Images
“A loss is discouraging,” Jones said. “But as far as my temperament, if I saw a proposition for us that could help this team — no matter what this score was today — then I would look at it on the merits of helping this team. Today would not affect the decision on trading for a player.”
Realistically speaking, the Cowboys are not one player away from having a solid defense. The issues with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ group are multi-layered, and Jones agreed with that thought when asked by the Star-Telegram after the game.
“Are we one player away on defense? I think we’re not,” Jones said. “We’re more than that away. What we’re closer to than we think in my mind is executing on defense.”
The Star-Telegram also asked if there’s any consideration to selling players at the deadline.
“Not now, no,” Jones said.