The Dallas Cowboys are 4-2 and are coming off of a Week 7 bye. While the Cowboys are certainly legitimate playoff contenders and should be in the postseason come winter time, there is no doubt that some questions surround the team.
Dallas has between now and the end of the month to make some moves to improve its roster, and if the Cowboys truly want to compete with the Philadelphia Eagles and the big boys of the league, they probably need to make a trade or two before the deadline.
Here are three trade targets Dallas should consider before Oct. 31.
Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos
The Cowboys’ linebacking corps looked like it would be an issue going into the year, and now that Leighton Vander Esch and DeMarvion Overshown are both on the injured reserve list, it’s an even bigger problem than it was initially thought.
Josey Jewell is no superstar, but he is a reliable inside linebacker who could step in and help alleviate some of the pressure that has been placed on Dallas’ inexperienced defenders who have been forced to take on a larger role.
Jewell is an expiring contract, so the Cowboys would have no obligation to him beyond this season. He has already logged 43 tackles in six games, and last year, he racked up 128 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
The 28-year-old would represent a cost-effective solution for Dallas’ banged up linebacking group.
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
The Bears don’t seem to be all that interested in moving anyone at the moment, as they were very aggressive sellers at last year’s trade deadline and may not be all that enthralled about selling off key pieces again in 2023.
However, there is no doubt that cornerback Jaylon Johnson would represent a fantastic pickup for the Cowboys, who has been hurting in their secondary ever since Trevon Diggs went down with a torn ACL earlier in the season.
Johnson is just 24 years old and is set to be a free agent this offseason, but imagine if the Cowboys could snag him in a trade and extend him over the spring? That would provide Dallas with a tandem of Diggs and Johnson on the outside for the foreseeable future and would make opposing quarterbacks terrified of throwing the ball down the sidelines.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Brandin Cooks has been a pretty big disappointment for the Cowboys thus far, logging just 13 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown through seven weeks. Michael Gallup has picked up his production of late, but it’s clear that Dallas is still in need of another weapon behind CeeDee Lamb.
Could Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton be the answer?
The Cowboys have been mentioned as a potential destination for Sutton over the last several weeks, and with Denver being just 2-5, Sutton is a prime trade candidate.
Sutton may not be the same receiver he was before tearing his ACL in 2020, but he is still a reliable pass-catcher who has been having a solid year.
Dak Prescott could absolutely use another target, and Sutton would provide him with one, especially in the red zone where Dallas has struggled.
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