The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2023 offseason with a few needs across their roster. They weren’t big players in free agency but managed to address a few of those needs via trade. Dallas acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans and cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts.
Both players will provide instant upgrades at their respective positions. Cooks will help take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb, who took over the No. 1 receiver spot last season. Gilmore provides the Cowboys with a lockdown option opposite of Trevon Diggs.
Arguably the biggest hole remaining on the roster is along the defensive line. While the Cowboys have a stout group of pass rushers, the defensive tackle position leaves a lot to be desired.
Osa Odighizuwa is the only defensive tackle that performs near or above an average level currently on the roster. Shoring things up on the interior would help the team improve against the run, as they were 22nd in rushing yards allowed as teams knew to continue attacking the interior instead of testing the perimeter.
The 2023 NFL Draft could present the Cowboys a chance to make a change at the position, but if they are looking for a more experienced option, they could dip into the trade market. One player who could make sense is Grover Stewart.
Dallas was mentioned as a logical landing spot for the veteran defensive tackle who has spent the first six seasons of his career with the Colts. Stewart has been durable throughout his career, missing only two games; one in each of his first two seasons in the NFL.
Coming off of a career season with 70 tackles, 4.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits. This could be a prime time for the Colts to trade him as his value will never be higher. With a new head coach in place, a change in philosophies could lead to some more changes being made to the roster.
Shane Steichen is an offensive-minded head coach and trading Stewart would clear $9.6 million in cap space for Indianapolis. For a team that could be working a rookie quarterback into the mix in 2023, they can use all the money possible to help upgrade the roster around him.
What could it cost the Cowboys to acquire him? Dallas could offer their fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for the veteran Stewart. Embarking on a rebuild, the Colts will take any draft capital they can get and having an early Day 3 pick would certainly help.
For Dallas, Stewart is an instant upgrade to their defense. His 69.0 defensive grade on PFF last season is higher than any defensive tackle on the Cowboys’ roster and 36th among qualified players at the position. While trading another pick would leave Dallas short on draft capital this year, acquiring bonafide upgrades for a team with Super Bowl aspirations is never a bad thing.
