The Dallas Cowboys look to have a few positions on their roster that could use an upgrade as the offseason moves along. The biggest needs on the roster, improvements at cornerback and wide receiver, were both addressed.
Dallas pulled off trades with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, acquiring cornerback Stephon Gilmore to pair with Trevon Diggs and wide receiver Brandin Cooks to complement CeeDee Lamb. Both players are big upgrades for their respective units, but Dallas may not be done making moves.
If they wanted to continue making things as easy as possible for quarterback Dak Prescott, bringing in some more help in the backfield would make sense. The team placed the franchise tag on Tony Pollard this offseason, but he is recovering from a gruesome lower leg injury suffered in the postseason.
There is optimism he will be ready to go when the season rolls around as he took part in the team’s OTAs, which were likened to walk-through practices. Beyond him, there isn’t much to get excited about on the running back depth chart.
Ronald Jones was signed in free agency and a sixth-round pick was used on Deuce Vaughn. They will be competing with Malik Davis for touches behind Pollard when he is healthy. There is a sizable set of shoes to fill with the Cowboys moving on from Ezekiel Elliott this offseason.
There is a chance that Elliott could be brought back, but Dallas could aim higher for a replacement. One player who would fit the bill is Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings.
It is an open secret that the Vikings want to move on from Cook, who is owed $10.4 million in base salary and under contract for two more seasons beyond 2023. Minnesota has been close to trading him this offseason and a change to their social media page set the rumor mill ablaze.
Cook remains near the top of his game, producing 1,468 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns last season. The Cowboys were suggested as a landing spot for the productive back, who has made the Pro Bowl four straight seasons.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report even suggested a trade that the teams could make. Dallas could send a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Minnesota in exchange for Cook.
That would be solid value for the Vikings, who have let it be known they are moving on from Cook. That hasn’t helped his value, so getting two draft picks in return for a player that could be waived is a good return.
For the Cowboys, they get a big upgrade on Elliott as the partner for Pollard. He also provides some long-term insurance in case the team cannot retain Pollard beyond the 2023 season as he is set to hit the open market again next year.
