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The Dallas Cowboys have many holes to fill before they kick off the 2025 season, and while most fans worry about how the team will approach free agency, they could instead look to trade for upgrades.
The last few significant trades that Jerry Jones have only recently been eclipsed in Dallas-area fandom ire by Nico Harrison jettisoning Luka Doncic, but there are some moves the Cowboys could make that would please the base in 2025.
CeeDee Lamb needs a running mate. Jalen Tolbert hasn’t shown signs of being that guy, and Jonathan Mingo is a long shot to develop into one. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a history with a couple of players for whom the Cowboys could try to acquire.
DK Metcalf had some of his best seasons with Schottenheimer as his offensive coordinator, including his second-highest receptions total (83), most ever receiving yards (1,303), and both of his top two touchdown receptions in a single season totals.
Tyler Lockett also had his best Seattle seasons with Schottenheimer. His only 1000-catch campaign, as well as his highest receiving yards mark (1,175) tooks place with Schotty calling the shots. In addition, his top-four touchdown totals all came in that stretch.
On the defensive end, new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton are familiar with a few options that the Cowboys could look to trade for.
Andrew Billings is a 6-foot-1, 311-pound one-technique who signed with the Chicago Bears in 2023. Under Eberflus, Billings had his most tackles in a season, 39, and his lowest missed tackle percentage, at 4.9%. He also had the most pressures since his rookie season.
The Cowboys could be losing Osa Odighizuwa to an enormous payday elsewhere.
Sheldon Rankins is a defensive tackle who played one season under Whitecotton while on the New York Jets. He had his highest total tackles and lowest missed tackle percentage in that season. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers might have had his most productive season in 2024 with the Denver Broncos, but he developed under Whitecotton. He started all 50 games he played under him, averaging 35 tackles, five tackles for a loss, 24 pressures, 16 QB hits, and five sacks in three seasons.
Dallas could sign cheap free agents with connections to their new coaching staff, like Leki Fotu, Javon Kinlaw, or Carl Lawson, but impactful trades could be the better way for the Cowboys to build a contending team.