The Cowboys were aggressive in trade talks for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby earlier this offseason, submitting multiple offers before ultimately falling short. Las Vegas agreed to send Crosby to Baltimore for two first-round picks, but the deal fell apart after the five-time Pro Bowler failed the Ravens’ physical. Crosby continues to pop up in trade rumors almost a month later, though Cowboys owner Jerry Jones does not expect to circle back (via Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS). “I don’t anticipate, standing here right now, revisiting that situation,” Jones said. “I don’t anticipate it. Is it possible? Yes.”
While Jones is not slamming the door on another Crosby pursuit, it is notable that Cowboys physician Dr. Dan Cooper raised concerns over the defender’s surgically repaired meniscus before he failed his physical. The Ravens consulted with the well-respected Cooper during the process. Unless Dallas does a 180 on Crosby, its best hope to upgrade its pass rush could be via the draft. The Cowboys are scheduled to pick 12th and 20th in the first round.
Here’s more on Dallas and a pair of NFC East rivals:
- Washington is considered the most likely destination for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but San Francisco will have to release him first. The Commanders are not going to trade for Aiyuk, according to John Keim of ESPN. The 49ers are in no rush to cut Aiyuk, who is still tied to the four-year, $120MM extension he signed in August 2024. The team has gotten almost nothing from the deal, as Aiyuk has not played since suffering a knee injury that October. The 28-year-old is now coming off a bizarre season in which he distanced himself from the team during his recovery. The 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list in December. Odds are they will eventually cut him, but the Commanders are not going to bank on a release and “bypass other potential options,” Keim writes.
- Having lost Reed Blankenship to the Texans in free agency, the Eagles are down a starting safety to pair with Andrew Mukuba. Nickel cornerback Michael Carter II and safety Marcus Epps, whom the Eagles re-signed on the cheap, are among in-house options to fill the void. To no surprise, general manager Howie Roseman intends to address safety during the draft (via Brooks Kubena of The Athletic). “In some shape or form we will add at that position,” Roseman declared.
- Shifting back to Dallas, the team is in the market for a nickel cornerback, Jon Machota of The Athletic relays. No. 1 corner DaRon Bland has slot experience, including 200 snaps last year, but the Cowboys prefer to keep him on the outside. While Reddy Steward amassed 384 slot snaps in 2025, Pro Football Focus ranked his play a lackluster 99th among 112 qualifiers. Notably, the Cowboys have visited with Miami’s Keionte Scott, one of the highest-rated nickel CBs in this year’s draft class.
- The Cowboys will stage “an open competition” between backup quarterbacks Joe Milton and Sam Howell for the No. 2 job, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said (via Machota). The Cowboys sent a fifth-rounder to the Patriots for Milton and a seventh-rounder a year ago. Starter Dak Prescott went on to enjoy a healthy and productive campaign, which left little playing time for Milton. Howell, who joined the Cowboys on a one-year deal last month, was a 17-game starter in Washington in 2023. The 25-year-old has not made a start since then, and he didn’t even play a snap as a third-stringer in Philadelphia last season.
Think the Eagles plan on using Cooper DeJean at Strong Safety. He’s one of the best tacklers on the team and takes away the middle of the field like no young DB we’ve seen in a while. That’s why the Birds don’t wanna move Coop out of the slot. However, I know my squad and I know Howie. Between the moves they’ve made, and didn’t make – like letting Reed Blank go and resigning MCII – makes you wonder a bit. Coop at SS will give him a little more flexibility to roam around the box, cover a TE, sniff out the screens and react to the run game. Makuba is young, his primary objective will be to take away anything over the top and help newly acquired Riq Woolen on the weak side.
Personally, I have this funny feeling that Howie has a handshake agreement with New England with regards to AJ Brown. Howie won’t trade AJ before June 1st, which means if AJ is traded for picks – they will be 2027 picks. That’s almost like Howie & Co. punting away a season. Think we are going to see a rare All-Pro for All-Pro player trade:
Patriots acquire:
– AJ Brown WR
– Kelee Ringo CB
Eagles acquire:
– Christian Gonzalez CB
– Patriots 2027 3rd Round Pick
The Eagles secondary would become elite, maybe the best secondary of All-time. It would be nearly impossible to throw on the Eagles. Think it is very possible they would then play a base defense of 4 DL, 1 LB, 6 DB’s. They haven’t replaced Nakobe Dean, although it’s likely they will draft a LB at some point. My point is, they way the personnel is shaping up, I think the Eagles have an unorthodox plan centered around the flexibility Cooper DeJean affords them in the middle of their D, and they will use him liberally.
Side note: Eagles still need a DE. They have Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt – your typical pin the ears back and rush kind of Edge guys. What the Eagles need is a true 3-down anchor type DE on one side. My suggestion would be to try to exploit the Jacksonville Jaguars young GM, who’s probably trying to figure out a way to add draft capital, after trading away so much to jump up to #2 last year to nab Travis Hunter. Perhaps the Eagles offer up their 3rd rounder, plus the compensatory pick they received when Milton Williams departed. Jags could potentially turn those 2 picks into an extra 2nd rounder. Travon Walker is a 2nd tier DE but somehow the former #1 overall pick is just 26 years old. He played at Georgia, and wreaked havoc at the Linc during the ‘Doug Pederson Game’ a couple seasons ago. Maybe reuniting on the DL next to his college buddies Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith – will rejuvenate #44, who had a bit of a down year in 2025 and wasn’t drafted by their current regime. Just some thoughts.
As far as the Offense goes, I’d be calling the Chicago Bears to see if they’d be willing to trade Cole Kmet, making $10M in his final year before free agency, now that Colston Loveland is there. Best blocking TE in the NFL.