The Dallas Cowboys got some positive momentum back with their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6. Sitting at 4-2, they remain only one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East.
The Cowboys know that there is still plenty of work for them to do to be on the same level as the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, who beat them 42-10 in Week 5. But, they are looking to close that gap ahead of the trade deadline.
Replacing star cornerback Trevon Diggs has not been as bumpy of a road as many thought it would be as players are stepping up in his absence. Replacing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch with already shaky depth could be tougher.
Alas, all of the attention ahead of the deadline is on the offensive side of the ball. The Cowboys have struggled mightily in the red zone thus far this season, failing to replace the impact running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Dalton Schultz had in that area of the field.
Recently, the team has been urged to make some moves to help alleviate those struggles. The Arizona Cardinals have been mentioned as a potential trade partner, with running back James Conner as the target. Conner would certainly help improve their shortcomings in short yardage and goal line situations.
A source who spoke to NFL Analysis Network revealed that the Cowboys and Cardinals have indeed been talking about making a trade. But, it isn’t for James Conner. Instead, those talks have revolved around veteran tight end, Zach Ertz.
“The Cowboys would love to get something done before the trade deadline. Zach Ertz is a name they have talked about. Conversations are ongoing between Dallas and Arizona.”
The Cardinals have begun making changes to their offense, as Ertz saw fewer snaps in Week 6 than he had at any point this season. Second-year tight end Trey McBride is getting more playing time, which makes sense given where Arizona is in their rebuild.
Ertz seems like one of the more likely players to be on the move ahead of the deadline as the Cardinals would take any draft compensation they can get in exchange for him. The Cowboys would be an intriguing landing spot as he could help replace what the team lost when Schultz departed in free agency.
The veteran would also bring a ton of experience to a positional group that is very young. Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot are both in Year 2 while Luke Schoonmaker is a rookie second-round pick. Ertz would give Dak Prescott another reliable veteran to lean on in the passing game that still gets the job done as a blocker.
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