5 Trades Cowboys Need to Pursue During Bye Week

The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of a miserable season after losing all their home games so far and sitting at 3-3 heading into their bye week. Fortunately, the extra week of rest could do wonders for some of the injured Cowboys such as Micah Parsons, Brandin Cooks, DaRon Bland, and Eric Kendricks.

However, getting healthy alone is not going to be enough to save the Cowboys season. The team is in shambles on both ends of the field, ranking 30th in points allowed and 19th in scoring and boasting a -42 points differential.

Jerry Jones may deny this all he wants but the need for roster upgrades is clear. With the November 5th trade deadline right around the corner, the Cowboys can’t waste any more time addressing the holes on their roster. These five names are worth a look for Dallas.

1. Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers

Brandin Cooks landed on IR after Week 4 and the Cowboys haven’t done anything to address the hole created. Besides CeeDee Lamb, Dallas doesn’t have a reliable pass-catcher.

Diontae Johnson of the Carolina Panthers is the ideal target for the Cowboys. His $7 million cap hit is more palatable for Jerry Jones and he is in the midst of an excellent season albeit Carolina’s dysfunctional offense. He has 29 catches for 340 yards and three touchdowns in six games.

The 28-year-old is on an expiring contract and the Panthers aren’t going anywhere. They should be willing to part ways with him for a mid-round pick. If it doesn’t work out, the Cowboys can let him walk in the offseason.

2. Mike Williams, WR, New York Jets

Another wide receiver the Cowboys can consider is Mike Williams of the New York Jets. The talented veteran signed with the Jets in the offseason after seven seasons as a Charger. Things didn’t work out for him in New York and he was further demoted after the Davante Adams trade.

However, Williams is still a solid pass-catcher. He missed all but three games last season after tearing his ACL but was a very solid WR2 in his last healthy season in 2022, finishing with 63 catches and 895 yards in 13 games.

Williams was an excellent deep threat in his prime, averaging a career 15.5 yards per reception. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he has an impressive jump ball ability.

He is on a one-year, $3 million deal with the Jets and they are already trying to move him. As lower-level moves go, it’s hard to do better than Mike Williams.

3. Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears

Another demoted but talented offensive player the Cowboys can target is Khalil Herbert of the Chicago Bears. The 26-year-old rusher hasn’t had a touch in the backfield in the last three games. He is solidly behind D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson in the pecking order.

Last season, Herbert finished with 611 yards on 132 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt in 12 games. The former sixth-round pick has the upside to reach new heights in a more functional offense.

It would be organizational malpractice if the Cowboys didn’t add a running back before the trade deadline. The Cowboys rank dead last in all rushing metrics, including a miserable 3.5 yards per carry. They desperately need to inject some life into their running game and Herbert, who should be on the trade block in Chicago, is a solid option.

4. Haason Reddick, EDGE, New York Jets

The best player on the trade market is arguably Haason Reddick of the Jets. Reddick has yet to make his season debut after being traded by the Eagles to New York this offseason. He skipped training camp and preseason and is still holding out for a contract extension. The most recent reports suggested that the Jets have granted him permission to find a trade.

Whichever team decides to trade for Reddick, including the Cowboys, they would have to give him a long-term deal. The 30-year-old defender has proven that he is very comfortable being uncomfortable as he has cost himself over $10 million in forfeited salary and fines this season.

At the same time, the Cowboys desperately need more talent at defensive end. Their pass rush numbers have fallen significantly after injuries to Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, and Marshawn Kneeland. They need more playmaking on that end of the ball to help save their season and Reddick, who had 27 sacks and five forced fumbles in the last two seasons, could certainly provide that.

5. Walker Little, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars

One of the biggest changes the Cowboys underwent in the offseason was moving on from long-term starter Tyron Smith. The veteran left tackle was one of the best players of his position and the Cowboys didn’t worry about blindside protection as long as he was healthy.

Dallas replaced Smith with rookie Tyler Guyton. The first-round pick out of Oklahoma is a very talented player with a ton of intriguing athletic tools but he is a very raw prospect. He only became a starter in the last two seasons in college and spent most of his snaps at right tackle.

Therefore, it’s understandable that there would be an adjustment period. Guyton has been struggling in his role so far, allowing four sacks, and committing eight penalties in five games.

Adding a more experienced left tackle into the mix could benefit the Cowboys. Walker Little of the Jaguars could be an intriguing option after losing his starting role to Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison this season. After this season, Little will be a free agent and Jacksonville will likely be open to trading him before the deadline.