Bleacher Report’s ideal Cowboys move fills Dan Quinn’s DT spot

The Dallas Cowboys have many positional needs to be filled in the offseason. The defensive line in particular needs some help, especially with run stuffing. While the Cowboys’ defense improved immensely in 2021, stopping the run was a clear weak spot. Because of this, drafting, trading for, or signing a defensive tackle or nose tackle could be very helpful.

Bleacher Report released a list of the most “ideal offseason trade scenarios” for all 32 teams. The author, Alex Ballentine, believes the Cowboys need to get a defensive tackle. Ballentine thinks the Cowboys should trade for Minnesota Vikings DT Michael Pierce. It’s true that Dallas could use a veteran presence in the middle of the defensive line.

Carlos Watkins is a free agent who may not be back next year. That pretty much leaves Neville Gallimore and Osa Odighizuwa. Gallimore was out most of the year with injury and Odiighizuwa showed promise but is still fresh in the league. Pierce is 29 years old and should still have good years ahead of him. Even though he only played in eight games, he had a career-high 3.0 sacks, plus four QB hits and 20 tackles.

At this moment, Trysten Hill is one of the most experienced defensive linemen on the roster and he is only entering his fourth season. Adding a player like Pierce who has five years of league time could help develop some of the younger guys on this defensive line.

Bleacher Report suggests that the Cowboys should trade for Minnesota Vikings DT Michael Pierce

Unfortunately for the Vikings, they are also struggling with cap space issues (although not as badly as the Cowboys). Minnesota is currently $14 million in the red. Trading or releasing Pierce would save them about $6 million. It’s not like Dallas has a ton of money to spend either, but $6 million to sign a veteran presence who can help with a key defensive issue seems like a worthwhile price.

While getting a DT is arguably not as important as adding a linebacker or safety for the Cowboys, it doesn’t hurt to add Pierce. Hill is incredibly injury-prone and the younger tackles may not be quite ready to be full-time starters. Is this the “most ideal trade” for the Cowboys? Arguably not. But we can understand where getting a great player at a low cost does make sense. Do you think Pierce is a good fit for Dallas?