3 needs Dallas Cowboys must address ahead of 2024 NFL Trade Deadline
The Dallas Cowboys are trending in the wrong direction ahead of the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline on Nov. 5. They are 3-5 for the year, which is three games behind the Eagles and a further one behind the Commanders. They are nowhere near the Wild Card spots either with many teams ahead of them in the NFC, including all four teams in the NFC North.
If they want to challenge this season, then they have to make some moves before the NFL Trade Deadline. Here are three key areas they need to address.
#3 - Cowboys offensive line is an issue
Dak Prescott injured his hamstring on a throw this week and the surprise was that it did not happen when he had to drop back under pressure. One of the reasons the offensive game has struggled despite having the highest-paid player in league history is that they have been poor in blocking pressure.
The quarterback has thrown eight interceptions and that has been due to the pressure he has been under and also because he does not help from the running game (more on that below). They had extensive change in that area during the offseason and have two rookies starting at critical positions. Cooper Beebe is the center and Tyler Guyton has been asked to man the left tackle position.
A little help in that regard could be useful in those positions, particularly, to add some depth to the roster.
#2 - NFL Trade Deadline an opportunity to find a new running back
Dallas had the opportunity to get Derrick Henry in the offseason and let it slide. He ended up with the Baltimore Ravens and the former Titans player has been sensational. After Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, he already has more than 1,000 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He has scored in every game except in the match against the Buccaneers, where he recorded 169 yards to make up for it.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys went with Ezekiel Elliott who has 149 yards and two touchdowns. The comparison is chalk and cheese. They need help at the running back position desperately. Their 82 yards per game is the second-lowest in the league, just ahead of the Raiders.
They already bought back one former running back in 2024. Perhaps, it is time to do it again. The Titans are in a position where they seem comfortable losing their best weapons, DeAndre Hopkins' trade to the Chiefs being a case in point. Bringing back Tony Pollard, who already knows the system could prove to be a smart decision.
#1 - Dallas needs an upgrade at defensive tackle
As poor as the Cowboys have been running the ball, they have been even poorer in stopping the opposition's rushing attempts. They are giving up 147.8 running yards per match, which is the third-worst in the league.
Their defense has been weak in the middle of the field and any team knows that the way to beat Dallas is to run the ball against them. Getting a defensive tackle would solve a lot of problems.
The issue, though, is that there are not many such players who would be available for cheap. It might be better addressed in next year's draft. This brings us to the real possibility that Jerry Jones could decide that their playoff window is behind them with the current roster.
Knowing that Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons would end up costing a lot against the salary cap, the Cowboys need to build around them. Instead of parting with a high pick, Dallas could decide to get rid of their own assets so that they can get some more selections for next year's draft.