The Dallas Cowboys have a few areas of need on their roster. With less than a week before the NFL Trade Deadline, they are running out of time to make a deal should they want to find an upgrade from outside the organization.
A lot of the focus has been on the offensive side of the ball for Dallas, where their red zone struggles have been eye-opening. The combination of Mike McCarthy’s play calling and lack of replacements for running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Dalton Schultz have been glaring issues.
Finding another offensive weapon to help alleviate those struggles would make a lot of sense. However, arguably the position that needs the most help on the roster is linebacker, where they have been hit hard by injuries.
Veteran Leighton Vander Esch was the latest casualty, as he is dealing with another neck injury. That is on top of third-round rookie DeMarvion Overshown suffering a torn ACL in training camp before the regular season.
It would behoove the Cowboys to hit the trade market and find a capable replacement in the middle of their defense. One potential target, in the opinion of Brad Spielberger of PFF, is Jordan Hicks of the Minnesota Vikings.
“Hicks is playing great football in a contract year, with his 80.3 overall grade his best mark since 2016, as is his 80.1 coverage grade. Hicks has an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and 19 defensive stops — a top-15 mark among linebackers — already on the season. He could provide a steadying presence at the second level and fortify this defense against the run, which has been a thorn in their side at times.”
What could a trade between the Cowboys and Vikings look like? Spielberger suggested Dallas send a 2025 fifth-round pick to Minnesota in exchange for Hicks and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Alas, that suggestion was made before the Vikings played their Week 7 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Their stance on being sellers has changed courtesy of their two-game winning streak.
Now 3-4, they are right back in the thick of the playoff picture in the NFC. Aiding a team with whom they are competing, and moving one of their most productive players, isn’t in their best interest.
However, the Vikings do have young players they could insert into the lineup. Seeing what undrafted rookie Ivan Pace Jr. and 2022 third-round pick Brian Asamoah can do would make sense as Hicks, who turned 31 in June, may not be part of their plans beyond this season.
For the Cowboys, snagging Hicks would provide them with a veteran to lean on as long as Vander Esch is sidelined. This isn’t the first neck injury he has sustained, so there is some concern, especially since he was placed on IR. Dallas may have to up the package given the recent success in Minnesota, but a veteran on an expiring deal still shouldn’t break the bank.
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