The worst thing the Dallas Cowboys can do at the trade deadline is nothing. Either sell some players on expiring contracts for draft capital, or make one or two moves to improve the defense. Don't spectate from the sidelines while NFC rivals push the envelope.
Jerry Jones is the ultimate seller of hope, so the Cowboys will likely be buyers. To what extent remains to be seen. In terms of the defensive line, if Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson, Jermaine Johnson, or Jaelan Phillips can be had at a fair price, Jones shouldn't think twice about pulling the trigger.
Draft capital will be the focus of any trade, but ESPN's Todd Archer believes wide receiver Jalen Tolbert could be on the move. Archer admittedly had to pick one player from Dallas that could get dealt, but he made some valid points.
"He (Tolbert) is in the final year of his deal, and his production has dropped alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens," Archer wrote. "KaVontae Turpin is taking more snaps as the No. 3 receiver, and the Cowboys like the potential of Ryan Flournoy, who had 114 yards against the Jets. Tolbert provides valuable insurance in case something happens to the top two receivers, but receiver-needy teams might be willing to part with a draft pick or defensive player for him."
Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert is someone to watch before the NFL trade deadline
In a perfect world, Tolbert would be included in a trade for a defensive player so Dallas doesn't have to give up as much draft capital. But we wouldn't have any qualms with Jerry Jones trading Tolbert to a WR-needy team for a draft pick in a separate deal.
Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan thinks there might be some truth behind the Tolbert trade buzz. Belt has picked up on a "tell" as to which Cowboys players might be inactive. He thinks Tolbert had that tell in practice this week.
.@BobbyBeltTX on @toddarcher saying #DallasCowboys' WR Jalen Tolbert could get moved
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 30, 2025
"I don't like revealing trade secrets, but there's a tell each week as to who might be inactive. ... Tolbert had that tell yesterday at practice. ... That feels like a move that could happen." pic.twitter.com/LzakRMiITZ
It would be nothing short of stunning if Tolbert is inactive on Monday night against the Cardinals. Not only has he played every game this season, but he's second among Dallas receivers with 227 passing snaps played this season. That is skewed by CeeDee Lamb missing three games, but Tolbert is lapping KaVontae Turpin (132 snaps) and Ryan Flournoy (102 snaps) in playing time.
If trading Tolbert means more snaps for Flournoy, then by all means send him packing. Flournoy has just as many catches as Tolbert (14) and more receiving yards (186 to 172) despite lagging in the snap share.
Flournoy has Tolbert beat in yards per route run and passer rating when targeted. In fact, Tolbert's 77.2 passer rating when targeted is the second-lowest on the team, per PFF. Flournoy is fourth.
Wide receiver injuries are prevalent in the NFL, but the Cowboys have Jonathan Mingo returning from his knee injury. They would still have five solid options if Tolbert got dealt: Lamb, George Pickens, Flournoy, Turpin, and Mingo.
Trading Tolbert makes all the sense in the world.