Cowboys better land one of these 4 players at NFL trade deadline
At 3-4-1, the Dallas Cowboys are still alive this season, but they're not going to be able to make a run at the playoffs if they don't shore up their defense.
Entering Week 9, they're struggling against the run and the pass and are dealing with injuries in the secondary as well. That's why they're expected to be an active team at the NFL trade deadline.
It's hard to predict exactly what Jerry Jones and the front office will do, but if they're serious about salvaging the season, they need to add at least one of the following four players by the November 4 deadline.
DeMario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints
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DeMario Davis is 36 years old, so he's far from a building block, but he's someone who can help the defense immediately. He's still playing well despite his age, and would give the Cowboys a savvy defender capable of making stops in the run game.
The New Orleans Saints are just 1-7 and might be willing to part with Davis for a late-round pick. If so, Dallas should be happy to make the move.
Riq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
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The Seattle Seahawks are within striking distance in the NFC West, so they're not going to be actively looking to unload talent. That doesn't mean they won't listen to offers, however.
One player who is rumored to be available, for the right price, is cornerback Riq Woolen. He's not an ideal fit in Mike Macdonald's defense, but his 44 career pass defenses and 11 interceptions should be enticing to the Cowboys.
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami Dolphins
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The Cowboys need more of a presence in the pass-rush department, and Jaelan Phillips could provide that. The Miami Dolphins are close to blowing things up, so Phillips might be available for an affordable price because of that.
Phillips, a former first-round pick, has plenty of upside but does come with some risk due to injury concerns. That said, the Cowboys need to take some risks if they want to fix their defense.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Miami Dolphins
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Eagles Trade Could Make Cooper DeJean Full-Time On Outside
Vic Fangio has been reluctant to move Cooper DeJean to outside cornerback on a full-time basis because of how well he plays in the slot. Now, the Eagles' defensive coordinator may make that move after his general manager landed nickel cornerback Michael Carter from the New York Jets on Wednesday afternoon, with the trade deadline still six days away.
“We considered it,” said Fangio when asked if they thought of making DeJean a full-time outside cornerback.
The problem has been who to put into the slot if such a move were to be made.
“When you have one of the better players at a certain position, and it's an important position where you get involved more, you hate to take a really good player at one position to maybe not be as good of a player or impactful of a player at another position, but it's definitely something that we've talked about,” said the DC.
To land Carter, Howie Roseman sent receiver John Metchie and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York for the slot corner and a 2027 seventh-round selection. This is the second time Metchie has been traded in the past two-plus months.
John Metchie's Role Never Developed
His role never materialized after Roseman sent tight end Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Texans for Metchie and a 2026 sixth-rounder on Aug. 17. The receiver played in just four games, getting 22 offensive snaps. He made four catches for 18 yards.
Carter was considered one of the best slots corners in the NFL as recently as 2023, but he has battled injuries since then. He sustained a concussion in Week 4 that forced him to miss four games. He returned to the lineup last week but played just six defensive snaps.
He missed a handful of games in 2024 with a back injury. He suffered a high ankle sprain during training camp also that summer.
The addition of Carter doesn't guarantee he will become an instant starter in the slot. The Eagles are expected to activate Jakorian Bennett off injured reserve and Adoree Jackson could be ready to return after the bye from a concussion that forced him to miss last week's game against the Giants.
The Jets and their general manager at the time, Joe Douglas, selected Carter in the fifth round out of Duke in 2021. Douglas, now with the Eagles, signed him to a three-year contract extension that runs through 2026 but has a salary cap hit of $12.25 million.
As for DeJean, Fangio talked about how lucky the Eagles were to have him, not only for his talent but his versatility.
“We got very lucky that he lasted till the middle of the second round,” he said. “I think the reason he did is because he only played corner in college, at least his last year. I don't think everybody was sure [if he] was he a first-round corner, second-round corner, third-round corner. I don't think the league as a whole had a feel for his versatility because he didn't play it in college.
“He's really a damn good nickel. Probably one of the best nickels in the league, and we're playing him at corner in the base. He could play safety if we needed him to. He's a defensive back, but really, he's just a good football player.”
