The Dallas Cowboys should absolutely participate in the upcoming NFL trade deadline. Whether they should be buyers or sellers is open for interpretation, however. The loss to the Broncos proved Dallas' defense might be a lost cause, and has propelled a lot of "seller" conversations.
Jerry Jones admitted that the defeat did not change his stance on the deadline. He stated previously that the Cowboys have the "ammo" to make deals, but history has told us they won't act unless the price is absolutely right. That's a scary thought given the team's recent trade history, but Jones made it clear that Dallas is open for business.
What position they choose to upgrade is the million-dollar question. Well, Jones' Tuesday hit on 105.3 The Fan seemed to hint that the team might want a new linebacker.
“We need to basically have better play from the linebackers, maintaining the integrity of your gaps, which the linebackers have to fill," Jones said. "The linebackers have to slide, and so they did a good job on us, Denver, the other day, and we did a poor job, so we've got to do better there. “
Cowboys may be shopping for a linebacker ahead of the NFL trade deadline
Jones has said the Cowboys are not shopping for a pass rusher, but FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer reported over the weekend that Dallas called about Raiders star Maxx Crosby and Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. They were rebuffed by both teams, but it seems the front office is doing its due diligence on multiple positions.
Linebacker, though, has been a glaring weakness this season.
Kenneth Murray has continued to be a slow processor and show next to zero gap discipline. He consistently tackles ball-carriers seven and eight yards beyond the line of scrimmage because of those shortcomings. And his situational awareness in coverage on third downs is nonexistent. It remains absolutely baffling that Dallas traded for him in the offseason.
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Rookie Shemar James has been the Cowboys' most promising LB. He can develop into a potential future starter, but he's far too inconsistent to have played the eighth-most snaps on the defense through eight games.
Jack Sanborn, meanwhile, hasn't played in three games because of a concussion and a groin injury. He's missed a team-high seven tackles and has been picked on in coverage.
The Cowboys seem to be targeting Week 12 for DeMarvion Overshown's return. He will be a revelation, but fans should temper expectations. Coming off major knee surgery, he should not be expected to fix everything.
Jones desperately needs to get a proven veteran in the room if he wants to salvage the season. Whether it's re-signing Eric Kendricks or trading for Demario Davis or Logan Wilson, an injection of talent and consistency next to Overshown would make a huge difference going into the second half of the schedule.