Could Cowboys consider blockbuster trade if losses pile up?

We also saw Dallas turn around and trade Cooper four years later, though not in-season.

The point here is the Cowboys could look to make another trade based on their early season results.

If they do that, who are the names to watch?

Here we're going to look at one player Dallas could ship out in a selling move, and two buyer's moves to help the team improve.

Say Bye-Bye to CeeDee?

This would cause quite a stir, don't you think?

In all seriousness, Cowboys fans should prepare for the possibility that the front office sees more value in moving Lamb for a slew of draft picks than risk losing him in free agency.

This is especially true if the season does not go as planned.

In a world where Dallas is winning games, they would not consider this in all likelihood.

However, with Lamb on the last year of his deal and no extension in sight, they'd be silly not to listen if the playoffs were out of sight.

Trading Lamb mid-season does not automatically mean losing him for good either.

The two sides have a good relationship, which has been stressed by Lamb this off-season.

The Cowboys trade Lamb, net a first-round pick, and more in the process, and court him heavily in free agency if he does not reach an extension with that team.

Dallas gets a draft pick haul to compete in 2025, Lamb can chase a ring this season, and the two sides then reconnect on a well-deserved contract in the off-season.

Is that happy ending for all a little pie in the sky?

Perhaps, but we have seen players get traded in a contract year just to head back once free agency hit.

Extending Lamb as soon as possible should be the team's first option.

But if they can't agree to terms and they struggle out of the gate, they should consider this.

The Cooper Trade 2.0

A slumping Cowboys team making an in-season trade with an AFC team for a star wideout.

We just talked about that regarding the 2018 Cooper deal, but what if history repeats itself?

It is well known by now that Bengals Wide Reciever Tee Higgins could be traded at any moment.

Higgins, a former 2nd-round pick and 2x 1,000-yard receiver, requested a trade in March.

This came after extension negotiations fell through and Cincinnati placed him on the franchise tag.

With no trade happening during the draft process, it seems likely Higgins will at least start the year with the Bengals.

But what happens if Cincinnati again fails to string wins together?

It would be pointless for the team to hold onto him in that scenario, as Higgins' earlier trade request already shows an interest in being moved.

Dallas could swoop in and bring a star WR2 next to Lamb.

If the season starts slow in Jerry's world, this could pump some major energy into the offense.

Familiar Faces Return

The Cowboys spent much of the 2024 NFL Draft repairing their offensive line.

This was, in large part, due to the departure of franchise legend Tyron Smith this off-season.

Smith, a 13-year Cowboy headed to the Big Apple to play with the New York Jets with Dallas refusing to out-bid them.

But will that really be the end for the 5x All-Pro in Dallas?

Let's remind ourselves of something.

Achilles' tears are not easy to return from.

When the person recovering from that massive injury is in their 40s, the task becomes even harder.

If future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers fails to put it back together in 2024, the Jets could be in major trouble.

In a world where the Jets don't win games, Smith's one-year deal could become a trade asset.

Especially when you consider they used a first-round pick on a young tackle, who they could focus on developing instead of running a veteran out there.

So, how do the Cowboys fit into this?

Dallas may find themselves winning games but struggling on the offensive line.

This could be with rookie Tackle Tyler Guyton struggling or Right Tackle Terence Steele still failing to get back into his pre-ACL form.

If both the Jets struggle and the Cowboys have a short-term need at tackle, why would you not call New York up?

At 33 years old with an extensive injury history, Smith might not cost much.

This becomes especially true when you add in his one-year contract.

Smith and the Cowboys could find themselves reunited with a mid-late draft-pick trade, reuniting the two and giving them a better shot at a Super Bowl run in 2024.