Should Cowboys Trade Big as Final Offseason Move?

One of the major weak points on the Dallas Cowboys defense is the interior defensive line around Osa Odighizuwa.

The front office addressed the need this offseason by acquiring free agent veteran and 3-technique backup Solomon Thomas with hopes he can return to his No. 3 overall NFL Draft pedigree from nearly a decade ago.

In this offseason's draft, Dallas also used a Day 3 selection on UCLA nose tackle Jay Toia who will compete at camp with Mazi Smith, a former first rounder of Dallas a few seasons ago.

Other than Odighizuwa, this group still features a lot of question marks. Smith has had a disappointing start to his career, Thomas is getting older after not turning into a star like most hoped, and Toia is just now entering his first NFL season.

The Cowboys graded as the 30th best run-stopping defense by Pro Football Focus last season. This encourages PFF's Mason Cameron to believe the Cowboys could be in the market to trade for more defensive line depth before they head to Oxnard for training camp.

In his list of the last move every team should make this offseason, Cameron urges the Cowboys to trade for the Detroit Lions starting run-stuffer D.J. Reader.

Reader is entering the second and final year of his $22 million contract. Last season he put up impressive numbers as a 15-game starter totaling 23 tackles, a career high 3.0 sacks and six quarterback hits.

"The Lions’ D.J. Reader has been considered a cut candidate and could fit in nicely with the Cowboys, whether through a trade or a post-release signing," Cameron wrote. "Reader boasts a 91st-percentile PFF run-defense grade over the past three seasons.”

If he is indeed released by Detroit, the Cowboys could be able to sign the 30 year old to a cheap veteran deal. Otherwise, it is more likely they pursue him in a trade.

“Dallas hasn’t been afraid to leverage future draft capital this offseason and should consider monitoring another opportunity," Cameron adds.

In light of earlier free agency moves and the George Pickens swap, we now know that Jerry Jones' Cowboys are not afraid to talk around. Dallas has executed four trades this offseason ... so far.

Acquiring D.J. Reader could be the final puzzle piece Dallas adds to put finishing touches on a productive offseason.

Unfortunately, the move doesn't come without some risks. Reader, now into his 30s and entering his 10th NFL season, has dealt with some concerning lower-body injuries.

The bright side here is that Dallas probably wouldn't have to give up much in a trade. One Day 3 draft pick could to the trick.

But he may also not be available in the first place. Detroit could keep him around as star D-lineman Alim McNeill recovers from injury.

Moving forward, it is still an idea worth considering that could benefit the Cowboys' largest deficiency last season.