Time is running out for the Dallas Cowboys to trade for a linebacker before the NFL Draft. While they could certainly revisit a trade afterwards, when there's expected to be a mini free agency frenzy, they have put themselves in an unenviable position with less than two weeks to go.
In the meantime, the Philadelphia Eagles have done what they always do: push the envelope to acquire talent. This particular move by general manager Howie Roseman is worth celebrating, however.
In the latest sign that A.J. Brown's days in Philly are numbered, the Eagles acquired Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks in a trade that broke over the weekend.
Cowboy fans may remember Wicks catching a touchdown against Dallas in the 2023 Wild Card Game against Green Bay, which may go down as the worst home playoff loss in the history of the Cowboys. On 3rd-and-7, Wicks beat Stephon Gilmore on a post, and Jordan Love did the rest to put the Packers up 20-0 with 3:23 left in the first half.
It certainly won't be fun to see Wicks twice next season -- it may actually be worse for Dan Quinn, since it was his defense that got diced up in that playoff game -- but swapping out A.J. Brown for the former fifth-round pick is absolutely a win for the Cowboys.
It looks increasingly likely that the Dallas Cowboys won't have to see A.J. Brown in an Eagles jersey anymore
Brown is arguably a top-10 receiver in the sport. Wicks, meanwhile, is a nice depth wideout who has never had more than 39 catches or 581 receiving yards in a single season.
It doesn't help that he had to compete with the likes of Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs. Even though Matt LaFleur's offense emphasizes spreading the ball around, it was difficult for Wicks to be consistent from week to week.
Assuming Brown is traded after June 1, Wicks could step into the WR2 role behind DeVonta Smith. General manager Howie Roseman has done too much damage control at wide receiver this offseason to suggest Brown will be back. Whispers that Brown is headed to New England to reunite with Mike Vrabel, his head coach with the Tennessee Titans, have gotten deafening.
In addition to trading for Wicks, Philly previously signed Marquis "Hollywood" Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million. While Brown isn't a needle-mover, he's better than what the Eagles will have behind Smith once A.J. Brown gets moved.
A receiving corps led by DeVonta Smith, Wicks, and Dallas Goedert, arguably Jalen Hurts’ favorite target, is at least serviceable.
From a Cowboys perspective, that’s much easier to stomach than Philly running it back with Brown and Smith. Smith is a luxury as a WR2, but as the focal point, he’ll see a very different level of defensive attention.
While it's easy to see Wicks turning into prime Dez Bryant when Philly plays Dallas, Brown's inevitable departure is a reality that Cowboys fans will happily embrace.