Cowboys Expected To Be Active At Deadline?

OCTOBER 20: Contradicting earlier reports, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes that the Cowboys are “content” with their roster, adding that Dallas is unlikely to make an aggressive push for a splashy addition. Likewise, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports notes a blockbuster involving the Cowboys would come as a surprise. Instead, an “equitable mid-level deal” would make more sense, per the latter.

A defensive addition of that nature would make sense, particularly at the linebacker spot or in the secondary (areas Robinson identifies as ones to watch in Dallas’ case). The injuries suffered by Diggs and Vander Esch call for at least depth acquisitions, but anything more than that may now come as a surprise. The Cowboys currently sit mid-pack in terms of cap space with $7.15MM.

OCTOBER 19: The Cowboys have had an up-and-down start to their 2023 campaign. The team started the season by outscoring their opponents 70-10 across two wins. Since then, they’ve suffered a pair of losses: one to the lowly Cardinals and one to a fellow NFC contender in the 49ers, who blew out Dallas by a score of 42-10.

The team rebounded from that loss to San Francisco with a win in Week 6, and entering their bye week with a 4-2 record, the Cowboys still feel confident in their ability to compete for a championship. That’s why multiple NFL sources told Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports that the Cowboys are expected to be among the most active teams heading towards the trade deadline. Jordan Schultz echoed that sentiment during an appearance on CBS Sport Radio’s Maggie and Perloff, stating that Dallas is the “first team that comes to mind” among potential deadline buyers.

It sounds like the Cowboys are prepared to do whatever it takes to elevate their chances in 2023. Vacchiano writes that the organization isn’t “concerned with their long-term future,” and they’re not going to be passive with several glaring holes on their roster.

The Cowboys have struggled to replace cornerback Trevon Diggs (torn ACL), and the recent loss of Leighton Vander Esch (neck) could stretch a thin linebackers corps. However, even with those absences, the Cowboys have touted that they have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team invests resources into the other side of the ball.

Vacchiano opines that the Cowboys’ biggest hole is at WR2 opposite star CeeDee Lamb. Michael Gallup was expected to take on a bigger role when Amari Cooper was dealt to Cleveland, but the receiver has hauled in only 57 catches in 20 games since that trade. Meanwhile, offseason acquisition Brandin Cooks has struggled during his brief stint in Dallas, catching only 13 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown in five games.

Regardless of which position (or positions) the front office zeroes in on, it sounds like the Cowboys will be aggressive leading up to the trade deadline on October 31.

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