4 trades Cowboys can make with projected 2025 compensatory picks
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys have mastered the art of stockpiling compensatory draft picks. It helped them in a huge way in the 2024 NFL Draft, as they were originally without a fourth, fifth and sixth round picks as a result of previous trades.
The Cowboys have been rewarded at least two compensatory picks every year dating back to 2021. That streak figures to extend into 2025 after they lost several key players to free agency.
Well, Lance Zierlein of NFL Media recently projected every team's 2025 comp pick haul. Zierlein thinks the Cowboys will get four picks, including three in round five and one in round six. Four is the limit of picks a team can receive via the comp pick formula.
With more draft ammunition than they know what to do with, let's explore some trades Dallas can make with this projected newfound capital.
4. WR Terrace Marshall
The Cowboys hosted free agent Zay Jones for a visit this week so they're clearly looking to improve their wide receiver room. The unit is thin behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, and while Jalen Tolbert is the presumptive favorite to be WR3, it's apparent Dallas doesn't want to hand Tolbert the job.
Terrace Marshall is someone who can come in and compete for that spot. A former second-round pick of the Panthers in 2021, Marshall has been a huge disappointment. In three seasons, he's caught 64 passes for 767 yards and one touchdown. His 58.2% catch rate speaks to his lack of efficiency when targeted.
Marshall struggles to create separation, but he can take the top off of defenses and win downfield. In fact, Marshall thrived on deep passes in 2022. On targets 10 or more yards downfield, Marshall made six contested catches, averaged 21.2 yards per catch and produced a 117.4 passer rating and 88.2 receiving grade, per Pro Football Focus.
Injuries and poor QB play have hindered Marshall's development, but a move to Dallas could do wonders for his career. He'd be catching passes from an elite QB in Dak Prescott and have the luxury of operating alongside one of the best receivers in the game in CeeDee Lamb.