Cowboys nearly made grave mistake before trading for Kaiir Elam

The Dallas Cowboys are clearly aware that their roster depth is not up to snuff. That is the only explanation for why they went out and traded for former first-round picks Kaiir Elam and Kenneth Murray Jr.

Neither deal moves the needle, but the team desperately needed bodies at cornerback and linebacker as both positions are pilaged by injuries. DeMarvion Overshown, Trevon Diggs and Josh Butler could all miss a chunk of next season with knee injuries.

The Elam trade in particular is extremely confusing. While Murray's tape is right up there with some of the worst linebackers in the NFL, he is at least a stat compiler. Elam has just two interceptions and two passes defended in 29 career games.

The Cowboys cannot rely on Elam to play a significant role. A cornerback needs to be in consideration with the No. 12 pick in the draft and the front office would be smart to add two more corners in free agency before then.

It turns out Dallas was actually in talks with a prominent free agent, but it looks questionable in retrospect after the player in question got a bloated contract.

Cowboys reportedly talked to Brandon Stephens before trading for Kaiir Elam

"The Cowboys were in discussions with Baltimore Ravens free agent cornerback Brandon Stephens during the exclusive negotiating period before he opted to join the New York Jets, according to sources," writes ESPN's Todd Archer.

It is encouraging (and astonishing) that Dallas was in talks with one of the top cornerbacks on the market in Stephens. However, Stephens is considered one of the biggest overpays from the initial wave of free agency after he inked a three-year, $36 million contract, including $23 million guaranteed, with the Jets.

Related: Dan Quinn clowns Cowboys with genius signing after brutal Kaiir Elam trade

Ravens fans were not sad to see Stephens go and NFL analysts were stunned he got that big of a deal given how he performed in a contract year.

A former third-round pick, Stephens broke out in 2023 to the tune of 11 passes defended and a 79.4 passer rating allowed when targeted, per PFF. He also allowed just a 61.7% completion rate. For whatever reason, his play dipped last season.

Stephens allowed a 107.4 passer rating and higher completion percentage on fewer targets. He also surrendered four touchdowns (up from two the previous year) and committed seven penalties. His coverage grade dropped nearly 20 points.

The Jets clearly think they can fix whatever went wrong with Stephens. But $12 million a year and nearly $25 million guaranteed is a steep price to pay. The Cowboys would have been better off paying Jourdan Lewis, who got $10 million a year and $20 million guaranteed from the Jaguars and has a far more consistent track record.

We're not sure what the plan is at cornerback, but Dallas might have dodged a disaster by letting the Jets overpay for Stephens.