Cowboys Could Win the NFC East With the Right Trade

The Likely Solution

Many fans have called for the firing of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, but this is not the move the Cowboys should be looking towards. A trade (hopefully multiple) is the most likely option for the team going forward.

Owner Jerry Jones recently went public with Dallas’ intentions to enter the market, saying, “We have thought all along that if we see a way to improve this year with a trade at the deadline, then we’ll take advantage of it…”

The Micah Parsons trade came and went, and this proactive stance by Jones shows a desire within the organization to make an effort to win.

The trade deadline (Nov. 4) looms ominously for the Cowboys, so any move to strengthen the secondary or front seven would do more good than any type of harm. Frankly, it’s hard to do much more harm when the defense is as poor as it is.

Potential Candidates

The Cowboys have a lot of options in terms of cap space. Their $31 million of space ranks second in the NFL, so not making any type of move would be in their worst interest.

Some potential targets for Dallas:

• Devin Bush (LB Browns)
  • 2024: 76 TOT, 1 Sack,
• Trey Hendrickson (DE Bengals)
  • 2024: 46 TOT, 17.5 Sacks, 2 FF
• Derrick Brown (DE Panthers)
  • Currently: 19 TOT, 1 Sack, (played in 1 game last season)
• Riq Woolen (CB Seahawks)
  • 2024: 46 TOT, 3 INT, 1 FF
• Julian Blackmon (S Saints)
  • 2024: 86 TOT, 3 INT, 1 FR
• Geno Stone (S Bengals)
  • 2024: 81 TOT, 4 INT, 1 FR

The list could go on and on. These six address the notable needs for the Cowboys’ defense. In the coming weeks, the team will see the return of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.

In terms of the list, most of these are just theoretical except for Trey Hendrickson, who has been circulating a lot of buzz as a mid-season trade option for the Bengals. According to Dianni Russini of the Athletic, “Cincinnati’s asking price included a young defensive player and a 2026 first-round pick, according to league sources. The player heading back does not have to be a pass rusher.”

Hendrickson has put up staggering numbers over his eight-year career, notably being top two in sacks in 2023 (2nd) and 2024 (1st). He recently sustained a hip injury during the Bengals’ game against the Packers and is questionable for their game next week against the Steelers.

The NFC East is Anything But Decided

With no team having a clear edge over the other, the window for the Cowboys to be at the top of the division by the end of the season is far from closed. While it is unlikely that any defensive help via trade will be in Dallas before they host Washington on Sunday, they still play each member of the division one more time.

The Cowboys don’t even need a stellar defense. With an offense that has produced league-leading numbers (without CeeDee Lamb, too), an average defense would really be all that the Cowboys need to succeed.

The offense has kept the Cowboys alive, too. Four out of the six games this season have been decided by one score, and while the Cowboys are 1-2-1 in those games, the introduction of an average defense would probably sway those games their way.

Especially with the recent loss to the Eagles, many forget that the Cowboys’ Week 1 matchup in Philly ended in just a four-point loss. Not omitting the win over the Giants either, if the Cowboys can come into their Week 18 rematch with a new defense, they could easily coast past the G-Men.

The return of CeeDee Lamb, KaVontae Turpin, and Tyler Booker in this weeks game against the Commanders should help to fight off Jayden Daniels and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Although the run defense will certainly be tested, as the Commanders boast the best yards per attempt in the league, the Cowboys should be doing all they can to bolster that defense.