The Dallas Cowboys are without question a better team in 2026 than they were in 2025, as they made some big improvements on the defensive side of the ball and supplemented those moves with Christian Parker replacing Matt Eberflus as the defensive coordinator. That doesn't mean Jerry Jones' pencils are all completely down until the season starts.
The Cowboys are no stranger to making some spicy trades in the days before the NFL season starts, and with a few holes on the roster that remain unplugged, it might behoove Jerry Jones and the front office to makes some calls and see if any veterans can shake loose.
These four trades would instantly make the Cowboys a much better team, and it won't cost a ton to get these deals done. An active Jones might be willing to take the plunge and get some of these swaps hashed out.
4 cheap trades Dallas Cowboys can make before preseason
4. Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos
Why would the Broncos trade a 23-year-old who had 700 yards last season and developed chemistry with Bo Nix? The addition of Jaylen Waddle via trade and the emergence of Pat Bryant could make opportunities hard to come by.
The Cowboys have been cavalier about trading picks for wide receivers in the past, and the jury is still out on if former trade pickup Jonathan Mingo has what it takes to make the 53-man roster.
3. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona is undoubtedly going to trade some of its running backs, as keeping Tyler Allgeier, Conner, and Trey Benson behind Jeremiyah Love is ridiculous.
Conner is the oldest of the bunch, which means he could be the cheapest. He's had a couple of big games against Dallas over the years. His power and vision could make for an ideal complement to Javonte Williams if Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah fail to take a step forward.
2. Kristian Fulton, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Fulton may have viewed Kansas City as a chance to get back on track after some up-and-down seasons with the Titans and Chargers in his two prior seasons, but he never broke into Steve Spagnuolo's starting lineup.
With 38 pass deflections in 53 career starts, Fulton would make for great depth, especially on a Cowboys team that signed veterans on one-year deals to start at cornerback.
1. Tyrel Dodson, LB, Miami Dolphins
With the Dolphins having handed Jordyn Brooks a big contract extension and using a second-round pick on Jacob Rodriguez, Miami has all but told Dodson that his long-term future is not going to be in South Beach.
Even after the Dee Winters acquisition, the Texas A&M alum could find a new home in Dallas to give Christian Parker some insurance alongside Winters, DeMarvion Overshown, and rookie standout Jaishawn Barham, who's temporarily sidelined by a groin injury.
Dodson doesn't have any Pro Bowls to his name like Brooks, but with two separate 100-tackle seasons under his belt, he'd be the most accomplished linebacker on the Cowboys' roster.
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