4 trades the Cowboys should consider before the deadline

Xavier Rhodes, Cornerback – Indianapolis Colts

The Cowboys are set to lose both starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis to free agency next offseason. And so far this season, we’ve seen little reason Dallas must re-sign either one. Yet, going in 2021 having only Anthony Brown and Trevon Diggs as your key starters isn’t wise.

Yes, the Cowboys could opt to use a high draft pick on a starting cornerback and likely will. But as we’ve witnessed with the early play of their 2020 second-rounder, Diggs, rookie corners have a notorious adjustment period in their first season. And Dallas needs someone who can come in and start at a high-level from the jump.

Plus, considering the fact Awuzie is currently on Injured Reserve and the struggles Daryl Worley has had starting over the team’s past three games, the Cowboys could use an upgrade now. That’s where making a trade for Colts’ corner Xavier Rhodes could help.

A first-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, Rhodes has earned three Pro Bowl selections since 2016. Despite earning a Pro Bowl nod last year, the Vikings parted ways with the 30-year old cornerback this offseason, saving them $8.1 million.

Rhodes inked a one-year, $3 million deal with the Colts this offseason. So far, he’s posted nine total tackles, five pass defends, two interceptions, and a touchdown in five starts for Indy. Pro Football Focus has an overall grade of 78.8 for Rhodes in 2020 so far, the highest of his eight-year career. In Dallas, Rhodes could act as a better bridge player than Worley for the developing Diggs and presumably a draft selection or two in 2021.