NFL trade deadline: 4 realistically available trade targets for the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys spent the offseason mostly doing nothing, which increasingly looks like a poor decision as they’ve sputtered to a 3-4 start.

That state of the roster is so poor there could be an argument for sitting out the Tuesday, Nov. 5 trade deadline, working under the assumption that there is too much to fix to salvage this year, but that’s often not the way of it.

The easy part for Dallas is identifying needs, which is most of the roster. Here are some places they could start.

James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

The attempt to resurrect Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t worked, as Dallas is dead last in the league in rushing. The problem here seems more like the offensive line than the running back, but adding a running back at the deadline is the easier attempted fix.

Arizona’s James Conner could be available and seems like a good fit with Dallas. Conner would be an ideal upgrade over the underwhelming duo of Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott. That would take some playmaking pressure off Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and open things up for the Cowboys passing game.

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams would also be a great fit. We’re not saying that the Cowboys should trade for Williams and Conner; it’s just that Dallas would be the best fit for each back.

Williams would give the Cowboys a true, three-down threat at running back. His bruising ability could even remind some of what Elliott accomplished during his younger days in Dallas.

Chase Young, EDGE, New Orleans Saints

Dallas has had injuries all over the line, starting with edge rushers Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence. He is particularly thin at tackle, whereas second-year player Mazi Smith looks over his head.

New Orleans Saints end Chase Young has been mentioned as a top candidate Dallas could chase.

It has not worked as well as hoped for Young in New Orleans, where he signed as a free agent this past offseason. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has two sacks and 30 pressures (per PFF) for New Orleans, playing exclusively as a stand-up right EDGE, but he’s struggled to finish plays.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Dallas has not had consistent production behind CeeDee Lamb, who has also not been very consistent. With Brandin Cooks out with an injury, Dallas needs help here.

The Los Angeles Rams Cooper Kupp is by far the biggest name rumored on the market, but his age (he’s 31), huge contract, and the high price the Rams would want likely rule him out.

Kupp is a great separator who plays in the slot, has reliable hands, and is a physical blocker, so it’s easy to imagine him succeeding as Dak Prescott’s top middle-of-the-field target.

When is the NFL trade deadline?

This year’s NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day, at 2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT.

After that, the 32 NFL teams will not be allowed to complete any more trades until the official start of the 2025 league year, which is Wednesday, March 12. The trading period will begin at 2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT that day.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.