The Dallas Cowboys were off on Wednesday, but the NFC East got better as the Washington Commanders landed Stefon Diggs, ending an agonizing search for a complementary No. 2 receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin.
Diggs does not come without red flags, but he's still a really good player. He was among the NFL's most efficient receivers last season, ranking 10th in yards per route run and sixth in passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus. It's hard to spin this as anything but a huge signing for Dallas' rival.
The Cowboys are in a good spot right now, but Jerry Jones has a chance to steal the spotlight back from Washington with one move. No, it's not trading for Maxx Crosby. That would certainly do the trick, but it doesn't seem realistic at the moment.
Instead, Dallas should sign Bobby Wagner, who spent the last two seasons with the Commanders.
The Cowboys can sign Bobby Wagner to silence Commanders' Stefon Diggs buzz
Taking Wagner off the market would be a ruthless move. Not because Washington appears interested in bringing him back, but few players know Dan Quinn's operation better after spending the last two seasons there. That kind of firsthand knowledge could prove invaluable.
Any intel Wagner could provide would be a bonus. The primary appeal, obviously, is that he's still an effective linebacker. We said effective. Not good. Not great. Effective.
Is he still the game-wrecker who'd make multiple splash plays per week while holding up in coverage against tight ends and running backs? Far from it, but Dallas' linebacker room isn't short on athleticism. DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, and Jaishawn Barham, who can't go one practice without receiving a shoutout, provide the speed, range, and physicality that would allow Wagner to lean into his experience and instincts.
Wagner's performance last season wasn't without criticism, but he was also asked to be the driving force behind Washington's defense. The lack of talent surrounding him was astonishing. It's no surprise a 35-year-old couldn't carry an NFL defense on his own.
Bobby Wagner isn't the old Bobby Wagner, but the Cowboys don't need him to be
In Dallas, he'd have the luxury of playing behind an elite defensive tackle duo in Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. As noted earlier, he'd be flanked by three physical linebackers (Overshown, Winters, Barham) who thrive in space.
Wagner wouldn't be asked to shoulder as much of a burden as he did in Washington. He played 99 percent (!!!) of the snaps last season. No wonder his performance fluctuated.
Nobody's arguing that Wagner is still a world-beater. Rumored Cowboys trade target Jordyn Brooks, who seems to be off the table, is a level above Wagner at this point in their respective careers. However, Wagner can still snuff out danger between the tackles on early downs.
We're not normally in the business of advocating for 36-year-old linebackers, but think about how much better you'd feel about Christian Parker's defense if it had an experienced field general to deploy on early downs.
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