The NFL schedule has big events on the way in the coming weeks. The NFL Combine begins this week, free agency in a couple of weeks, and lastly, the 2022 NFL Draft is happening on April 28-30th. It seems like it would only be right to dive into some trade possibilities for our Dallas Cowboys.
LJ Collier, DE Seattle Seahawks – Age 26 | Height 6’3” | Weight 291 lbs
The 2019 first-round (twenty-ninth overall) pick out of TCU hasn’t had the best start to his career. However, he’s still young considering that he’s only twenty-six years old with plenty of football to play. Collier may just need a new change of scenery. What place is better than his home state of Texas and he also fits Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn‘s scheme.
Bringing size, depth, and position versatility as a three tech defensive tackle on passing downs or a big edge. Coach Quinn has been known for getting the best out of his defensive players. Also, Collier is in his contract year, which is usually when you see players step up .
All things considered, bringing in LJ Collier to the Cowboys could be a match made in heaven. Where the Cowboys get a player for cheap for a year and possibly only trading a late-round pick for Collier. Collier gets a new change of scenery and a chance to prove why he was drafted in the first round.
Erik McCoy, C New Orleans Saints – Age 24| Height 6’4”| Weight 303 lbs
The Cowboys could use an upgrade at center. The current center, Tyler Biadasz, at best is a solid backup. Instead of drafting one in the early to mid rounds, they could trade for Saints center Erik McCoy out of Texas A&M who has been the starting center since his 2019 rookie season. The reason why the Saints may have McCoy on the trading block is they’re 76 million dollars over the cap. Trading McCoy could save them about three million against the cap. They have a capable starter in Ceasar Ruiz who has experience at center to step in if McCoy is traded.
McCoy has been a solid starter for the Saints and has played to his draft expectation. That being said, the Cowboys would have to offer some good draft capital for the Saints to be interested. It would be well worth the investment to the Cowboys’ offensive line to improve.
McCoy showed his awareness, lateral quickness, and making adjustments…
Marcus Peters, CB Baltimore Ravens Age 29 | Height 6’0” | Weight 197 lbs
Had to save a blockbuster trade for last, that’s for All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposed a trade where the Ravens trade Peters and a third-round pick in exchange for four-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper. In this scenario, the Cowboys have a luxury player in Marcus Peters who is coming off an ACL injury from last September. Although, when he is healthy, he has a similar skill set to Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs, a “ball hawking corner”.
The Ravens would obtain a true WR1 in Cooper who this year had a bumpy season averaging 68 receptions (second lowest in receptions of his career), 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns (tied in career high touchdowns). Pairing Cooper with slot receiver Marquise Brown, Ravens number one receiving yard leader tight end Mark Andrews and rookie receiver Rashod Bateman would be a big move. Bateman had 515 receiving yards in his rookie campaign alone.
Not An Easy Trade
The difficult part would be the financial aspect of this trade between the Cowboys and Ravens. If the Cowboys traded Cooper this gives them six million in dead cap but free 16 million dollars of cap space. In regards to the Ravens trading Peters, they would have 5.5 million in dead cap, but save 10 million dollars. Especially if the Cowboys give Peters an extension, it would lessen the financial blow.
In conclusion, this trade would help the teams but also add a team need for both sides. The Cowboys would have to look for a WR1 or WR2 most likely via the draft in the early rounds. The Ravens would have to look for CB1 in the draft as well. There’s big pros and cons to this trade. Could it happen, yes, but most likely not. Nevertheless, a fun thought or scenario to ponder.
Who should the Dallas Cowboys look to possibly trade for? Comment below and join the discussion!
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