The Cowboys clearly aren’t in any huge hurry to add a veteran wide receiver to their ranks, but that isn’t stopping the outside world from treating it like a five-alarm priority. On Tuesday night, rumors about a certain AFC player and a possible trade got so loud that even CeeDee Lamb weighed in to remind everyone that he still, in fact, exists. On the subject of trades, we’ll look at one current Cowboy who could be packaged up… as well as a fan favorite who’s being suggested to a Super Bowl contender. And just what did the three trades that Dallas has pulled this offseason actually cost them? The answer may come as a surprise.
Meanwhile, Jason Witten’s son is entertaining major college offers, the Saints‘ questionable draft strategy could be the Cowboys’ defensive gain, and one UDFA is coming in with a massive chip on his shoulder. We’ll reveal how many wins the Cowboys are projected to get based on strength of schedule, we’ll explore whether a running-back-by-committee approach might work any better this year with revamped personnel, and we’ll check in with a former Cowboys quarterback who’s working toward a very different kind of win these days.
Dallas Cowboys‘ George Pickens trade still has NFL experts buzzing :: SI.com
The Cowboys were reportedly discussing a deal for the Steelers wide receiver prior to this year’s draft. Now with DK Metcalf wearing the black and yellow, several analysts are still pounding the table for a trade that would ship the mercurial Pickens out of Pittsburgh and to Dallas, where he would work opposite CeeDee Lamb. (Social media buzz late Tuesday night suggested the Steelers were close to finalizing terms with an unidentified trade partner.)
‘I feel disrespected’ – Dallas Cowboys undrafted rookie is on a mission to prove the NFL messed up by not drafting him :: A to Z Sports
Traeshon Holden was eager to reunite with his college position coach in Dallas, but he also saw a Cowboys wide receiver room that he believes he can shine in. That will motivate the undrafted free agent to not just make the team, but make the entire NFL regret not calling his name. “I’ve always been the type to just work hard, but I feel disrespected,” Holden said. “So now it’s time to make it happen.”
Cowboys 2nd-round pick at crowded position makes potential trade candidate :: Cowboys Wire
If the Cowboys are going to rely on the trade market to acquire more veteran help, they might look to a positional group that’s a little bit crowded at the moment. Thanks to the drafting of Donovan Ezeiruaku and additions like Payton Turner, Solomon Thomas, and Dante Fowler, fourth-year defensive end Sam Williams may have more value as a bargaining chip. The former second-round draft pick is coming off a season-ending injury but is young, cheap, and playing for his next contract.
Chiefs-Cowboys blockbuster trade idea brings $97 million two-time Pro Bowler to KC :: The Sporting News
One outlet has suggested Trevon Diggs could be ripe for the trade block, and that the Chiefs would be possible buyers. “After losing [cornerback] L’Jarius Sneed, it was always the anticipation that the [Chiefs’] secondary wouldn’t be the same,” writes Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports. It wasn’t, and Kansas City signed veteran Kristian Fulton and spent a third-round draft pick on additional corner help. But Diggs is a two-time Pro Bowler with an albatross of a contract hanging over him.
Evaluating the total cost of the three trades made by the Cowboys this offseason :: Blogging the Boys
The Cowboys were unusually busy this offseason, making pre-draft trades for Joe Milton, Kenneth Murray, and Kaiir Elam. But the team didn’t spend higher than a fifth-round pick for any of them, and each came with an additional draft selection. Boil down all the draft capital involved, and Dallas got those three players… and ultimately gave up just a late fourth-rounder.
88 has hilarious response to Tuesday night Pickens rumors :: CeeDee Lamb
PFF thinks Cowboys benefitted from Saints blowing it by not drafting this prospect :: Cowboys Wire
All the Saints had to do was turn in his card, and Donovan Ezeiruaku would be wearing a fleur-de-lis on his helmet. Instead, New Orleans took quarterback Tyler Shough with the No. 40 overall pick, and it’s Dallas who landed one of the best pass rushers in this year’s class. Ezeiruaku could be the one that got away in the minds of Saints fans for years to come.
Why Cowboys’ potential committee approach at running back could yield better results :: The Athletic
The platoon approach was anemic for most of 2024, but the Cowboys have changed out nearly every member of the running back room (and even the position coach) since then. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are fine veteran additions, though neither will be handed a significant role based on reputation alone. Rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah are already comfortable splitting carries from their respective college teams. The hope is for someone to separate themselves from the pack in camp. But if not, the personnel is far better suited to a committee situation than last year.
Updates: Bill O’Brien’s thoughts on Schotty :: The Mothership
O’Brien is among the hundreds of coaches who Schottenheimer has crossed paths with over the past 25 years. The former Texans HC and current head man at Boston College, having just coached Donovan Ezeiruaku, says Schotty’s long and winding road to his own NFL top job won’t hinder his success. “Sometimes, coaches’ journeys, they’re all a little bit different, right?” O’Brien asked. “He’s got a great job there, head football coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and I think he’ll do a great job. He’s a very smart guy, great offensive mind, and I’m looking forward to watching Dallas play.”
What we know about Micah Parsons’ contract negotiations with Dallas Cowboys :: Dallas Morning News
Despite having $24 million locked in with a fifth-year option this season, Parsons remains eager to get a long-term deal in place. But team owner Jerry Jones and agent David Mulugheta still reportedly have not yet met since Jones and Parsons himself ironed out the basic framework of an agreement last month. The two-time Pro Bowler is expected to ask for a $200 million package that would make him the highest-paid non-QB ever; Dallas has two franchise tags in its back pocket that it could theoretically choose to play in 2026 and 2027. Parsons has suggested he could “hold in” by attending team activities but not participating in drills until he gets his contract settled.
Cowboys strength of schedule leads to bleak win total projection :: SI.com
The Cowboys and their fans may be optimistic about the changes in Dallas, but the team will still have to play one of the tougher schedules in football in 2025. According to one calculation, only 10 teams face a more difficult slate. The Cowboys’ win projection currently stands at 7.5, or basically right where they finished last year.
Jason Witten’s LB son gets college offer :: Cooper Witten
Ex-Dallas Cowboys QB at peace with past as he helps those to avoid his mistakes
Quincy Carter was at one time thought to be the answer at quarterback for the Cowboys. Now 47 and a grandfather, he is an active advocate for recovering drug and alcohol addicts and runs his own foundation dedicated to helping others- mainly young people- avoid the demons that got him once upon a time. “And now you don’t just have to smoke marijuana,” Carter explained. “You can drink it, rub it in, whatever. I am so blunt about what got me in trouble and all of this ‘candy’ is that is being handed out, it’s fentanyl. They smoke these vape pens, they’re getting it in elementary school. It’s so prevalent, so I don’t hold back about any of it.”
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