Oct 28, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Ryan Broyles (84) dives at the pylon for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Before last weekend’s game against the New York Giants, Jenkins played a total of 21 snaps in the last three games. Coaches explained his lack of playing time to a sore shoulder and specific defensive game-planning. But it’s a move Dallas has made in similar situations when a player is being shopped or is on the waiver bubble.

If Jenkins is truly on the trading block, there are a myriad of teams that could use his services. One of those teams is the Detroit Lions. Currently, their cornerback depth includes Chris Houston, Jacob Lacey, Jonte Green, and Bill Bentley. They are now openly on the lookout to acquire veteran safety help before the trade deadline.

Detroit was active on the wire yesterday making a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for their disgruntled wideout, Mike Thomas. Thomas was given a three-year contract extension last October for $18 million, but has since under performed. So far this season, Thomas has recorded just 13 receptions for 80 yards and zero touchdowns. The Jags drafted Justin Blackmon and signed Cowboys’ wideout Laurent Robinson in the off-season, making Thomas expendable.

The move helps Detroit replace wideout Nate Burleson, whom suffered a broken leg last week and is out for the season. The Lions allegedly gave up only a fifth round pick in 2014 for Thomas.

Thomas will be added to a receiver core that already includes Calvin Johnson, Titus Young and rookie Ryan Broyles. The odd man out appears to be Broyles, who struggled to get playing time prior to Burleson’s injury. He’s recorded six receptions and two touchdowns in the past two games. Those stats also make up his season totals.

Broyles was a stand-out receiver at Oklahoma. The two time All-American holds the NCAA FBS career record for receptions. Broyles tore his ACL in November of last year in a game against Texas A&M, which many believed negatively affected his draft status.

Dallas was rumored to be very interested in Broyles during this year’s draft. But the Cowboys lost their second round pick (45th overall) as part of their trade with the St. Louis Rams in order to move up to acquire  LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Broyles was chosen by the Lions a mere nine slots later with their second round pick (54th overall).

Salary-wise, Jenkins is in the final year of his five-year, $9.275 million contract. He’ll be paid $1.052 million this season. Broyles signed a a four-year, $3.678 million contract back in May.

If this trade was made, Jenkins would add an All-Pro presence to the Lion’s defensive backfield that currently ranks 7th in the NFL, but 27th in interceptions. While Broyles would become the third wideout the Cowboys have been desperately been looking for since the departure of the aforementioned Robinson.

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The current Cowboys roster is still littered with holes at positions which must be counted on heavily to contribute next season.  Securing a significant improvement at safety, adding an imposing pass rusher, or finding a solid run-stuffing defensive tackle could pay immediate huge dividends to the Cowboys defense next season. Finding two or three of these upgrades together could transform a lacking defense into an imposing force overnight.  Not to mention, there are many available wide receivers who could dangerously elevate the passing game for Tony Romo and company. (more…)