Despite sitting on a severely depleted arsenal of draft picks following a year of reckless spending, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys front office have zero intention of standing pat. Slumping to a deeply concerning 2–3 record following a humiliating 24–16 Thursday Night Football defeat to Tampa Bay, panic has officially set in across America’s Team—and the Cowboys are preparing to go all-in once again.
In recent months, Dallas parted with premium draft capital to acquire star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and, most recently, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. As a result of those blockbuster moves, Jerry Jones is left holding just three draft picks inside the first six rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft. Yet, according to league insiders, the franchise is actively hunting for even more mid-season trade deals before the fast-approaching deadline.
”Turning Over Every Stone” to Save a Crumbling Season
Writing for The Athletic, senior NFL reporter Jonathan Jones confirmed that the Cowboys front office is actively exploring trade markets across multiple positions, refusing to let a lack of draft picks prevent them from making roster moves:
“You also cannot put it past the Dallas Cowboys to make another deal before the trade deadline,” Jones reported. “I checked in on this, and a source told me they’re going to turn over every stone in an attempt to get this thing fixed.“
With Dak Prescott under intense media scrutiny, CeeDee Lamb battling a quad injury, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer under fire for defending a defense that has allowed 70%+ pass completion rates across five consecutive games, internal pressure to fix the roster has hit a boiling point.
Hunting Edge Pressure: Crosby, Mack, or Sweat?
Adding Joey Porter Jr. to a depleted secondary was supposed to stabilize the defense, but Dallas remains incapable of generating consistent pressure without giving up huge chunks of yardage. To salvage Brian Schottenheimer’s unit, Dallas is widely expected to shop for pass-rush reinforcements:
- Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders): The ultimate dream target, though acquiring his contract would require cap acrobatics.
- Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers): A short-term, budget-friendly veteran rental who brings immediate leadership and edge discipline.
- Josh Sweat (Philadelphia Eagles): A high-impact rotational piece who could immediately bolster the front four.
Fixing the Offense: Tight End Room Under the Microscope
It isn’t just the defense drawing internal concern. Starting tight end Jake Ferguson has endured a disastrous opening month, struggling as both a inline blocker and a reliable target for Prescott.
To give the passing game a secondary safety valve, Dallas could aggressively pursue trade targets like David Njoku, Jet’s prospect Mason Taylor, or even engineer an emotional reunion with former fan-favorite Dalton Schultz.
Whatever path Jerry Jones chooses, one truth is undeniable: Dallas refuses to fold quietly on the 2026 campaign. Expect heavy fireworks in Arlington as the deadline nears.
