Trade Deadline 2025 - Nov. 4

[Mr B]

The Cowboys have a chance to improve their defense at the trade deadline this year. If they do make a move who would you guys like to see them target?

I mentioned in another thread that Trey Hendrickson (30 yrs old) and Maxx Crosby (28 yrs old) are the obvious targets. Crosby is already signed long term and Hendrickson is on a 1 year deal.

The Cowboys do need to improve the DL however I actually would like to see them trade for another stud DT. The Titans have a guy named Jeffrey Simmons. He’s 28 yrs old and has 2 more years on his deal. Adding him to Osa and Kenny Clark would shore up the interior defense. That should make the pass rushers and LB’s better by default. Tenn is really bad and I don’t think Simmons would cost a 1st round pick.

So what say you guys? Should the Cowboys make a trade?

[Cactus Jack]

The Raiders won't move Crosby. He just signed a big extension.

1. The team would be on the hook for a lot of guaranteed money.
2. Carroll would not sign off on that.

It ain't happening.

A guy like Hendrickson (expiring deal) makes way more sense.

[Mr B]

The Raiders won't move Crosby. He just signed a big extension.

1. The team would be on the hook for a lot of guaranteed money.
2. Carroll would not sign off on that.

It ain't happening.

A guy like Hendrickson (expiring deal) makes way more sense.

I agree with you about Crosby. Trading him would put too much of a cap hit on them to seriously consider trading him. Hendrickson would be easier to obtain the problems he’s 30 years old. The Cowboys never negotiate with outside free agents who are on the wrong side of 30 years old.

That’s another reason why I think they should be looking to add more beef to the interior DL. Jeffery Simmons would be ideal in my opinion.

[Micah Prescott]

I feel like on defense? We can use help at literally every position.

I just can't hold my breath on this because TBH I feel like free agency and trading for Vets is probably this teams single biggest shortcoming. Until recently, we do really well at drafting talent. But we never go out and get proven VET help which is pretty vital in the NFL. I mean look at the Eagles, they probably don't win that ring without signing Saquon. Why is it that Stephen can't see that?

All the trades the Rams made to get a ring...

[Mr B]

I feel like on defense? We can use help at literally every position.

I just can't hold my breath on this because TBH I feel like free agency and trading for Vets is probably this teams single biggest shortcoming. Until recently, we do really well at drafting talent. But we never go out and get proven VET help which is pretty vital in the NFL. I mean look at the Eagles, they probably don't win that ring without signing Saquon. Why is it that Stephen can't see that?

All the trades the Rams made to get a ring...

I think the Cowboys problem when it comes to the draft is they are terrible at drafting defensive lineman. They’re great drafting every other position but every time they have gotten themselves in trouble (in the draft) is when they draft defensive linemen. So I’d rather they trade for an established player on the DL instead of drafting one. Offensively they have been great at drafting, including this year.

[Fierce1]

Make a trade because anything's possible when it comes to the NFL.

Who would have thought the Lions would crash and burn horribly last season.

Improve the defense by making a trade.
That way there will be no regrets if the Cowboys go deep in the playoffs.

[Micah Prescott]

So when it comes to run defense Dallas gives up 127 YPG which is 22 overall. It is bad, but not nearly as bad as the pass defense which is dead last 32 overall 284 YPG.

This points to our main needs being either -
A. pass rush help
B. secondary help

Hate to say it but Diggs has been a liability out there. I used to love the guy, but he gets torched regularly now. Due to his contract, probably stuck with him there unfortunately. Bland who is much better, has been injured.

We give up 30.8 PPG, which is just horrid. The offense has to score 31+ points for us to win. The Cowboys offense literally has to do twice the work of teams with a great defense.

[Mr B]

So when it comes to run defense Dallas gives up 127 YPG which is 22 overall. It is bad, but not nearly as bad as the pass defense which is dead last 32 overall 284 YPG.

This points to our main needs being either -
A. pass rush help
B. secondary help

Hate to say it but Diggs has been a liability out there. I used to love the guy, but he gets torched regularly now. Due to his contract, probably stuck with him there unfortunately. Bland who is much better, has been injured.

We give up 30.8 PPG, which is just horrid. The offense has to score 31+ points for us to win. The Cowboys offense literally has to do twice the work of teams with a great defense.

Diggs has been a liability for a couple of reasons though. First he’s coming off an injury and may not be 100% yet. The other is Eberflus has him and Bland playing zone which they are not good at. They are both man corners and were drafted to be man corners in Quinn’s system.

Eberflus needs to adjust to the talent he has. Don’t try to make a square peg fit in a round hole. Both have shown they can be All Pro caliber CB’s as long as they have a legit pass rush.

With that said I think they should still look to make a trade for DT Jeffery Simmons from Tenn. cut bait with Mazi. The Cowboys would have a very solid DT rotation with Simmons/Osa/Clark. Then go get your pass rusher in the draft. If they do that and Eberflus allows Diggs/Bland to play more man (like he did against the Jets) I think the defense will be just fine.

[Micah Prescott]

So when it comes to run defense Dallas gives up 127 YPG which is 22 overall. It is bad, but not nearly as bad as the pass defense which is dead last 32 overall 284 YPG.

This points to our main needs being either -
A. pass rush help
B. secondary help

Hate to say it but Diggs has been a liability out there. I used to love the guy, but he gets torched regularly now. Due to his contract, probably stuck with him there unfortunately. Bland who is much better, has been injured.

We give up 30.8 PPG, which is just horrid. The offense has to score 31+ points for us to win. The Cowboys offense literally has to do twice the work of teams with a great defense.

Diggs has been a liability for a couple of reasons though. First he’s coming off an injury and may not be 100% yet. The other is Eberflus has him and Bland playing zone which they are not good at. They are both man corners and were drafted to be man corners in Quinn’s system.

Eberflus needs to adjust to the talent he has. Don’t try to make a square peg fit in a round hole. Both have shown they can be All Pro caliber CB’s as long as they have a legit pass rush.

With that said I think they should still look to make a trade for DT Jeffery Simmons from Tenn. cut bait with Mazi. The Cowboys would have a very solid DT rotation with Simmons/Osa/Clark. Then go get your pass rusher in the draft. If they do that and Eberflus allows Diggs/Bland to play more man (like he did against the Jets) I think the defense will be just fine.

Yep, can't disagree with any of this.

[Mr B]

Now I don’t expect that the Cowboys would trade Pickens at the trade deadline but what about after the season? I feel they should resign him however he has the same agent as Micah Parsons.

Read on Twitter

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[Micah Prescott]

Pickens is 24 and is showing to be an elite talent. He is goin g to want big money I think. Not like CeeDee type money, or Micah money. But something substaitial that is for sure.

[Fierce1]

I'm curious if Jerry will trade Diggs.

[Mr B]

Pickens is 24 and is showing to be an elite talent. He is goin g to want big money I think. Not like CeeDee type money, or Micah money. But something substaitial that is for sure.

There is a chance they could franchise him and play him on the 1 year deal. I think Jerry will want to sign him to a long term deal however I think that’s going to have a lot to do with his agent. Is he willing to play ball with Jerry?

[Mr B]

I'm curious if Jerry will trade Diggs.

Considering Diggs put his house on the market this week I’d say it’s pretty safe to say he won’t be in Dallas next season one way or the other.

[Fierce1]

From what I've seen so far this season, no team is dominant.

This is the perfect season for Jerry to go all in.

Whatever it takes should be the mindset this season.

Not improving the defense would just waste Dak's MVP season.

Every team is beatable this season.

The Cowboys are not far off from being right up there with the top teams of both AFC and NFC.

[Micah Prescott]

From what I've seen so far this season, no team is dominant.

This is the perfect season for Jerry to go all in.

Whatever it takes should be the mindset this season.

Not improving the defense would just waste Dak's MVP season.

Every team is beatable this season.

The Cowboys are not far off from being right up there with the top teams of both AFC and NFC.

I just do not think they can flip this current defense around like that mid-season. That would have to be like 3 trades and probably firing the coaching staff and rehiring a new one. The defense is SO BAD they can not defend the pass at all.

260 passing yards given up per game ranks #32 in the NFL. Dead last. It is a dumpster fire. I just do not think it is possible to flip something that awful around in the middle of the season.

[Micah Prescott]

Best player on the defense is probably Daron Bland, everyone else is either a mid-tier player or just "bad".

[Mr B]

From what I've seen so far this season, no team is dominant.

This is the perfect season for Jerry to go all in.

Whatever it takes should be the mindset this season.

Not improving the defense would just waste Dak's MVP season.

Every team is beatable this season.

The Cowboys are not far off from being right up there with the top teams of both AFC and NFC.

I just do not think they can flip this current defense around like that mid-season. That would have to be like 3 trades and probably firing the coaching staff and rehiring a new one. The defense is SO BAD they can not defend the pass at all.

260 passing yards given up per game ranks #32 in the NFL. Dead last. It is a dumpster fire. I just do not think it is possible to flip something that awful around in the middle of the season.

They have the trade assets to improve the defense now. If they traded for Jeffery Simmons, and Trey Hendrickson that would immediately I’m prove the DL. Run defense and pass rush problems solved in 2 trades. They’d also get to cut bait with Mazi Smith and Sam Williams. The secondary would benefit from having a dominate DL.

The problem with this scenario though is those two trades worth giving up all that draft capital? Do you trust the Cowboys would draft players (on defense) that are as good as Simmons and Hendrickson?

[Micah Prescott]

From what I've seen so far this season, no team is dominant.

This is the perfect season for Jerry to go all in.

Whatever it takes should be the mindset this season.

Not improving the defense would just waste Dak's MVP season.

Every team is beatable this season.

The Cowboys are not far off from being right up there with the top teams of both AFC and NFC.

I just do not think they can flip this current defense around like that mid-season. That would have to be like 3 trades and probably firing the coaching staff and rehiring a new one. The defense is SO BAD they can not defend the pass at all.

260 passing yards given up per game ranks #32 in the NFL. Dead last. It is a dumpster fire. I just do not think it is possible to flip something that awful around in the middle of the season.

They have the trade assets to improve the defense now. If they traded for Jeffery Simmons, and Trey Hendrickson that would immediately I’m prove the DL. Run defense and pass rush problems solved in 2 trades. They’d also get to cut bait with Mazi Smith and Sam Williams. The secondary would benefit from having a dominate DL.

The problem with this scenario though is those two trades worth giving up all that draft capital? Do you trust the Cowboys would draft players (on defense) that are as good as Simmons and Hendrickson?

Defenders we have drafted in the 1st over the last 10 years.

-Mazi (BUST)
-Parsons (Jackpot)
-Vander Esch (Good pick, got injured)
-Taco (BUST)
-Byron Jones (This one hit IMO)

Pretty hit and miss TBH


But really, the defense needs to be fixed through free agency. We saved A TON OF MONEY not signing Parsons. We can basically sign 3 "good" free agents at that price. I need to not get my hopes up though, because the one biggest complaint I have with Jerry/Stephen is that they just do not play free agency aggressive enough, or even at all. Have to get proven talent in here, there is no way around that.

[Fierce1]

From what I've seen so far this season, no team is dominant.

This is the perfect season for Jerry to go all in.

Whatever it takes should be the mindset this season.

Not improving the defense would just waste Dak's MVP season.

Every team is beatable this season.

The Cowboys are not far off from being right up there with the top teams of both AFC and NFC.

I just do not think they can flip this current defense around like that mid-season. That would have to be like 3 trades and probably firing the coaching staff and rehiring a new one. The defense is SO BAD they can not defend the pass at all.

260 passing yards given up per game ranks #32 in the NFL. Dead last. It is a dumpster fire. I just do not think it is possible to flip something that awful around in the middle of the season.

Just improve from bad to tolerable.
The offense will be do the heavy lifting.

I also think if the Cowboys run defense will be good, that's better than being good on pass defense and bad on run defense.

The run defense have always hurt the Cowboys since that 2018 loss to the Rams in the playoffs.

It's also easier to fix the pass defense compared to fixing the run defense.

Again, just go from bad to tolerable.