One of the Dallas Cowboys' top needs this offseason is at cornerback, but due to the lack of money available, it will be difficult to go hard at it in free agency. This meant that attacking it via trade or through the NFL Draft was the most reasonable path forward.
Well, perhaps Dallas' most enticing trade option came off the board Wednesday when the Kansas City Chiefs traded star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for draft picks, which included the No. 29 overall selection in this year's draft.
The Cowboys hold two first-round picks, but when looking at the Rams’ offer, it was clear that it was going to take a lot to pry one of the best corners in the league away from a Super Bowl-caliber team.
In addition to the No. 29 pick, the Rams are sending a 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks, as well as a 2027 third-round pick. That's an offer that Dallas simply could not match, especially since they're coming off an entirely different end-of-season outcome than the Rams.
The Dallas Cowboys couldn't contend with Rams' offer for Trent McDuffie
It's unclear if Dallas showed any interest in McDuffie, but speculation took off after NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah projected the Cowboys to trade for McDuffie in a recent mock draft. It only intensified as whispers about the Chiefs potentially offloading him grew louder.
It certainly doesn't help that the Rams intend to make McDuffie the NFL's highest-paid cornerback with a salary of more than $30.1 million per year. They did everything in their power to acquire him as they look to make another Super Bowl run before quarterback Matthew Stafford retires.
As perfect a fit as McDuffie would be in Christian Parker's defense, the Cowboys simply aren't operating with that kind of desperation.
Now, they must pivot to set Parker up for success.
Former All-Pro Trevon Diggs was released in December, leaving his counterpart, DaRon Bland, all alone. Bland, meanwhile, just underwent his second surgery on his left foot in as many years, so his stock is trending down ahead of a pivotal 2026 season.
The Cowboys will likely use one of their two first-round selections on a cornerback in April’s draft, and it would behoove them to bring in some depth when free agency opens next week.
A McDuffie trade never seemed to truly be on the table, and the Rams' Godfather offer should soften the blow for Cowboys fans.