Latest On Cowboys’ Trade Deadline WR Pursuit
The Cowboys ended up keeping their wide receiver corps intact as this week’s trade deadline came and went, despite their reported interest in making an addition at the position. That had them connected with one player in particular, but the team cast a wide net in seeking trade partners. 
Dallas was listed amongst several teams calling the Texans about the availability of veteran speedster Brandin Cooks. That led to negotiations taking place deep into Tuesday afternoon, but no deal materialized. The $18MM in guaranteed money on Cooks’ deal next season proved too much to overcome (as was the case with other interested parties), along with Houston’s asking price.
Speaking about the Cowboys’ talks regarding other available wideouts, EVP Stephen Jones said, “You’re never there until you’re there. It was an intense day and [it] really felt like we had some things that might work out but unfortunately they didn’t and on several fronts we just weren’t able to get it done” (Twitter link via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
In the build-up to the deadline, it came out that the Cowboys were open to a move aimed at augmenting their receiving corps. The team has struggled to replace Amari Cooper since moving him out this offseason. CeeDee Lamb has made the expected transition to the Cowboys’ undisputed No. 1 wideout, but secondary production has been lacking. Dallas ranks 28th in the league in passing yards (201 per game), a figure skewed in part by the absence of quarterback Dak Prescott, of course, but one which also explains their interest in making an addition.
It remains unclear which receivers in particular the Cowboys were targeting at the deadline, one which saw the Bears acquire Chase Claypool from the Steelers, and Atlanta send Calvin Ridley to the Jaguars. The latter transaction was aimed exclusively at 2023 and beyond, but Dallas’ current receiving corps will be counted on in the second half of this campaign to carry the load offensively.
Cardinals Claim DT Trysten Hill
Trysten Hill did not make it to free agency. The former Cowboys second-round pick will head to Arizona, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicating (via Twitter) the Cardinals claimed his contract.
The Cards will take a flier on the fourth-year defensive tackle, whose rookie contract expires at season’s end. After acquiring Johnathan Hankins, the Cowboys did not view Hill as a keeper any longer. The Cowboys dangled Hill in trades for a stretch, but after no takers emerged, he hit the waiver wire.
Although he was a healthy scratch in Dallas’ Week 8 romp over Chicago, Hill worked as a part-time contributor on a deep defensive line this season. Hill, 24, was active for the Cowboys’ first seven games and logged a 29% snap rate during those contests. He has not started a game since being a Cowboys first-stringer five times in 2020. Those represent the Central Florida product’s only NFL starts. The Cowboys drafted Hill two defensive coordinators ago (Rod Marinelli); its current D-tackle cogs came in during Mike Nolan or Dan Quinn‘s DC tenures.
Arizona has a future Hall of Famer (J.J. Watt) and an ascending contract-year talent (Zach Allen) leading its defensive front. Only three other D-linemen — Leki Fotu, Jonathan Ledbetter and Michael Dogbe — reside on Arizona’s active roster, making some room for Hill to carve out a role. Hill did not do enough to stand out with the Cowboys; his Cardinals stay will help establish his free agency stock.
Cowboys Made Late Push For Brandin Cooks
Although the Texans engaged in discussions with teams about what would have been the fourth trade of Brandin Cooks‘ career, the ninth-year veteran remains on the rebuilding team. This may be a point of contention now, but with the trade deadline passed, Cooks’ options are limited.
Pre-deadline reports connected Cooks to several teams — the Rams, Giants, Vikings, Packers and Chiefs — but Ed Werder of ESPN.com notes the Cowboys were in on the ninth-year pass catcher as well. Dallas and Houston discussed Cooks leading right up to the deadline, but the previously reported stumbling blocks derailed an intra-Texas swap (Twitter link).
Cooks’ $18MM 2023 salary — an amount fully guaranteed via the April 2022 extension he signed — was an issue the Cowboys could not move past, per Werder, who adds the Texas teams could not agree on draft compensation as well.
The Texans were reported to be seeking a second-round pick for Cooks — the same price they sought in the spring — but the nomadic wideout was never considered likely to fetch such compensation considering the terms of his new contract (two years, $39MM) and the slight production dip this season. So Cooks (32 receptions, 354 yards, no TDs in 2022) remains with the Texans, though he was not at their Tuesday practice due to a personal reason.
Cooks, 29, sent out a tweet appearing to indicate frustration with his employer. With the trade deadline passed, the Texans have limited options with their top receiver. It cannot yet be assumed the Cooks situation will devolve an Odell Beckham Jr.-level place, but the star pass catcher’s path out of Cleveland could be a blueprint for Cooks. Then again, Cooks just signed a through-2024 extension to stay with the Texans this spring. It is not like the Texans were ever poised to compete in 2022, either, so it will be interesting to hear what has changed regarding Cooks’ situation since April.
The Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb locked in as their No. 1 wide receiver, but the team misses Amari Cooper. Michael Gallup, whom Dallas re-signed on a five-year deal this offseason, has only 135 receiving yards in five games since returning from his ACL tear. Sixth-year wideout Noah Brown (339 yards) is Dallas’ second-leading pass catcher. This crew could stabilize with Dak Prescott back at the controls, but the Cowboys were on the lookout for receiving help in the days leading up to the deadline.
The Cowboys are no stranger to in-season receiver trades, having sent a first-rounder for Cooper in 2018 and having dealt a first-rounder and change for Roy Williams in 2008. Unlike the Williams swap, the Cooper trade produced immediate dividends and helped Dallas to the playoffs that year. Two years after Cooper’s five-year, $100MM extension, however, the Cowboys decided he was not worth the cost and shipped him to the Browns for a low-level return. Considering where the receiver market went in the coming months, the Cooper pick-swap trade did not age well for the Cowboys.
Dallas balking at Cooks’ high salary is not unique; other teams did the same as the deadline neared. A report indicated Cooks was willing to give up some guaranteed cash to facilitate a trade back to the Rams, but would he follow Beckham’s lead in doing so to be released? Like OBJ, Cooks has already played several seasons on lucrative contracts. This season will bump him past $90MM in career earnings. Barring a release, however, Cooks must finish this season with the Texans. The team could reassess this situation in 2023, if a trade — almost certainly for far less value compared to Cooks’ first three trades, which collectively involved two first-rounders and a second from 2017-20 — is to go down.
Trade Rumors: Broncos, Cooks, Akers, Hunt, Cowboys, Lions, 49ers
Brandin Cooks is available, and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) the Texans are in discussions involving the ninth-year receiver. But Cooks’ $18MM guaranteed 2023 salary — which came to pass after Houston re-signed him on a two-year, $39MM pact in April — has proven to be an impediment here. Teams are not moving on Cooks unless the Texans pick up a chunk of that salary. Cooks, 29, was linked to giving up some guaranteed money to facilitate a trade back to the Rams. But it is unlikely he will give up too much cash to be moved. The Giants and Vikings have also been connected to the thrice-traded Cooks. For what it’s worth, Cooks was not at Texans practice Tuesday. Personal reasons — not an imminent trade — are believed to be behind Cooks’ absence, NFL.com’s Garafolo tweets.
With the deadline in less than three hours, here is the latest from the trade front:
- The Broncos have told teams they are not conducting a fire sale, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. A Bradley Chubb trade still could commence, but NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo hears (video link) the team is holding out for a better offer. Denver has been linked to not only wanting a first-round pick for Chubb but two firsts. With the latter price range unlikely to take shape, the Broncos figure to be put to a major decision today. Jerry Jeudy remains unlikely to be moved, per Garafolo.
- No Cam Akers trade is imminent, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweets. The Rams have been looking for a trade partner to unload their 2020 second-round pick. This situation may not be as icy as previously believed, however. Akers was once rumored to be done with the Rams, but he is now prepared to return to the team if no trade occurs this afternoon.
- Prior to acquiring James Robinson from the Jaguars, the Jets looked into Kareem Hunt, Breer notes. The Browns have dangled Hunt for the price of a fourth-round pick, but the former rushing champion may now be set to stay in Cleveland for at least this season’s remainder. Hunt, 27, should be expected to hit free agency if no trade goes down today.
- The Lions may not be done dealing. After sending T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings, the rebuilding NFC North squad has informed teams it remains open for business. Defensive back is one of the areas in which Detroit is willing to deal, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweets. Contract-year cornerback Amani Oruwariye would appear to be one name available. While Jeff Okudah arrived before the Brad Holmes regime took over, it would still be surprising if Detroit moved on from the former No. 3 overall pick.
- In addition to making defensive end Tarell Basham available, the Cowboys are open to moving defensive tackle Trysten Hill, Breer adds. Dallas has not seen the former second-round pick develop into a starter but has used him as a part-time player throughout this season. The team just added Johnathan Hankins via trade and has rookie-contract performers Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna ahead of Hill. Basham has only played in one game this season (Week 1) and remains on IR. The Cowboys designated the former third-round edge rusher for return late last month, however.
- The 49ers have already made their big trade splash, sending four picks to the Panthers for Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area) the phone lines are always open, but the team does not expect to make another move.
Jerry Jones: Ezekiel Elliott’s Role Won’t Change
Cowboys running back Tony Pollard ran wild with Ezekiel Elliott out of the lineup on Sunday, collecting 147 yards on offense while finding the end zone on three occasions. While you could make a compelling argument that Pollard has outperformed his teammate in recent weeks, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was adamant that Elliott remains atop the depth chart.
“There’s no argument,” Jones said yesterday (h/t to Michael Baca of NFL.com). “Zeke’s ability to punish, Zeke’s ability to deliver, Zeke’s ability, what he does for us in pass protection, and, frankly, Zeke’s ability to make big plays are there, and we’re going to go as Zeke goes. I really mean he’s that integral to our success this year.”
Elliott is one of the most productive offensive players in Cowboys history, collecting 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage in each of his first six years in the NFL. However, the 27-year-old hasn’t looked like his dominant self in 2022. He 4.1 yards per touch is a career-low, and he’s generally been invisible in the passing game (eight receptions in seven games). Meanwhile, following a 2021 season that saw him top 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the first time in his career, Pollard has improved his numbers in 2022. Through eight games, the 25-year-old has averaged 6.7 yards on his 93 touches.
Elliott is almost halfway through a six-year contract he signed with the organization in 2019, and while he’s reworked his deal a few times, he still has significant cap hits in upcoming seasons. Perhaps Jones’ consistent public support of Zeke has something to do with financials, especially if the front office intends to engage in future restructures. By nurturing Elliott’s spot atop the depth chart (and, for that matter, atop the roster), the player may have more reason to continue working with the organization, especially with a pivotal option on his contract after this season.
Plus, when it comes down to it, the Cowboys have shown that they can support both Elliott and Pollard in their offense, and the two players will continue to coexist for at least the rest of the 2022 campaign. Pollard is sit to hit free agency following the season, and if he continues to perform (and if the Cowboys continue to insist that they’re sticking with Elliott), then then RB may end up finding a more significant role (and payday) elsewhere.
Cowboys Looking Out For Wide Receivers At Trade Deadline
After trading Amari Cooper and letting Cedrick Wilson walk in free agency, the Cowboys needed big seasons from Michael Gallup and Noah Brown. Brown has stepped up his game but isn’t quite having a big season and Gallup has slowly been working his way back from last season’s late ACL tear. The results have led the Cowboys to keep one eye open for possible acquisitions at wide receiver as the trade deadline approaches, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. 
Through the first seven weeks of the season, the Cowboys’ receivers have been led by CeeDee Lamb (37 receptions, 479 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Brown (25 receptions, 339 yards, 1 touchdown). The team hasn’t been getting much help from its tight ends, though Dalton Schultz is third on the team with 14 receptions and 129 receiving yards. Running back Tony Pollard is just behind him with 11 receptions and 105 receiving yards. Gallup has recently made a return from his ACL recovery, but, through four games this season, he hasn’t shown the production he’s proven he’s capable of over the past few years.
The Cowboys signed free agent wide receiver James Washington in the offseason, but an offseason foot fracture has left him on injured reserve for these opening weeks of the NFL season. Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones told reporters that Washington is “real close” to returning. They hope Washington will add to the receiving group but diminishing returns over his past two seasons may still leave more to be desired.
Jones also told reporters only a week ago that he didn’t expect the team to make any trades. His quotes today seem to backtrack a little. On the topic of acquiring a new wide receiver in the trade market, Jones said, “We’ll just see.” He continued, “My point is: we don’t have to do anything. But if it raises its head, and it’s right, then we’ll do something.”
It’s unclear who the “right” wide receiver would be. The Panthers made it known they would like to hold on to wide receiver D.J. Moore. There are some underutilized names out there like Denzel Mims, KJ Hamler, Kendrick Bourne, and the former Cowboy Wilson (now with the Dolphins). Besides that approach, Jerry Jeudy, Brandin Cooks, and Chase Claypool are the biggest names that are rumored to be available. Jeudy or Claypool would add to the youth in the receiving corps, making it formidable for years to come. Bringing Cooks in would resupply Dallas with the veteran leadership at the position that it traded away in Cooper.
Until we find out what the “right” situation is, it’s hard to speculate that Jones and the Cowboys will make any moves. As the clock continues to tick towards the deadline, though, names like Jeudy, Claypool, and Cooks may start sounding more and more “right.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/22
Here are the minor moves leading into Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Antwaun Woods, T Badara Traore
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Promoted from practice squad: S Jovante Moffatt, DL Jalen Dalton
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Spencer Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: T Joe Haeg
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: RB Malik Davis, TE Sean McKeon
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Qadree Ollison, G Dakoda Shepley
- Placed on IR: LB Devin Harper
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: RB Devine Ozigbo
- Promoted from practice squad: T Quinn Bailey, DE Jonathan Kongbo
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: K Michael Badgley
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Maurice Alexander, WR Stanley Berryhill
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Innis Gaines, DE Kobe Jones
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jalen Camp, T KC McDermott
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: WR Van Jefferson, CB Troy Hill (story)
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Ronnie Rivers, T Chandler Brewer
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: S Verone McKinley, WR Braylon Sanders
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jacob Hollister
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: T Yodny Cajuste
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Kody Russey
- Placed on IR: G Chasen Hines
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Chris Harris
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kevin White
- Released: WR Keith Kirkwood
New York Jets
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Chris Streveler, OL Conor McDermott
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DE Tarron Jackson
- Waived: K Cameron Dicker
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: WR Willie Snead
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tay Martin, DT T.Y. McGill
- Waived: T Blake Hance
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: RB Travis Homer
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Bruce Irvin, WR Cade Johnson
Washington Commanders
- Promoted from practice squad: FB Alex Armah, WR Kyric McGowan
2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team
Days away from this year’s trade deadline (3pm CT, Nov. 1), a few teams have made some in-season moves to bolster their rosters. Several squads have also restructured contracts this season to create additional space. That extra room will matter as most teams will consider adding or subtracting costs before Tuesday’s deadline.
Here is how teams’ cap-space numbers (courtesy of OverTheCap) look ahead of the deadline:
- Cleveland Browns: $33.72MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $10.35MM
- Carolina Panthers: $9.79MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $9.71MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $9.47MM
- Denver Broncos: $7.79MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $7.69MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $7.23MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $7.16MM
- Chicago Bears: $7.08MM
- Green Bay Packers: $6.6MM
- Miami Dolphins: $6.16MM
- New York Jets: $5.71MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $4.97MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $4.95MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $4.93MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $4.76MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.3MM
- Washington Commanders: $4.26MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.86MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $3.71MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $3.67MM
- New Orleans Saints: $3.61MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $3.31MM
- New York Giants: $3.26MM
- Detroit Lions: $3.25MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $3.07MM
- New England Patriots: $2.19MM
- Houston Texans: $2.09MM
- Buffalo Bills: $1.93MM
- Tennessee Titans: $1.59MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $852K
The Browns have held the top spot for months, and the gulf between their cap-space figure and the field almost certainly stems from a desire to carry over cap space before Deshaun Watson‘s cap number spikes from $9.4MM to a runaway-record $54.99MM. Cleveland has recently been linked to creating more cap space. Interest has come in for Greedy Williams, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Kareem Hunt. Although the Browns did not grant Hunt’s summer trade request, it may now take only a fourth-round pick for Cleveland to deal its backup running back.
Another potential seller could move up on this list while creating some additional space in 2023. The Broncos are believed to have made Jerry Jeudy available. Unlike fellow trade chip Bradley Chubb, Jeudy is under contract for 2023 (on a $4.83MM cap number). Denver appears more likely to move Chubb. That departure would remove the franchise tag from the team’s equation in 2023 — barring a tag for fellow 2023 UFA-to-be Dre’Mont Jones — thus freeing up more free agency funds. It will be interesting if the Broncos, if they are to move Chubb, agree to eat much of his fifth-year option salary. George Paton‘s club took on most of Von Miller‘s 2021 money to increase draft compensation.
The Eagles are still near the top despite acquiring Robert Quinn. Philadelphia is paying just $684K of Quinn’s contract, which now runs through 2022 instead of 2024. Chicago is on the hook for $7.1MM. The Bears are on track to have a gargantuan lead on the field for 2023 cap space. They are projected to hold more than $125MM next year, according to OverTheCap.
New Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney checks in at just $784K on their 2022 cap sheet. The former Giants first-rounder’s figures bump to $1.9MM (2023) and $2.53MM (’24). Kansas City recently restructured Travis Kelce‘s deal, creating some wiggle room for the Toney addition. The Chiefs, who did not touch Patrick Mahomes‘ deal this year, restructured Kelce’s contract twice in 2022. Thursday’s trade hit the Giants with a $2.33MM dead-money charge. Toney will count $3.67MM in dead money for the Giants in 2023.
The Panthers picked up nearly $19MM in 2022 dead money via the Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey trades. Unlike the Eagles and Bears, last week’s Panthers-49ers McCaffrey swap did not involve Carolina taking on additional salary. McCaffrey’s offseason restructure dropped his 2022 base salary to the league minimum; the 49ers have him on their books at just $690K. McCaffrey’s record-setting extension will still represent $18.35MM in dead money on the Panthers’ 2023 cap, but his nonguaranteed base salaries from 2023-25 ($11.8MM, $11.8MM, $12MM) transferred fully from Carolina to San Francisco.
On the subject of 2022 dead money, the Bears lead the way with $80.32MM. The Falcons added to their total this month, however, by trading Deion Jones to the Browns. That deal saddled the Falcons with $11.38MM in additional dead money — accompanying the franchise’s record-setting Matt Ryan dead-money hit ($40.53MM) — and ballooned Atlanta’s overall total to $78.57MM. Ryan is off the Falcons’ books after this year, but Jones will carry a $12.14MM dead-money figure in 2023.
Ezekiel Elliott Expected To Miss Week 8
The Cowboys will be expected to turn to Tony Pollard as their lead running back this week. Ezekiel Elliott is not on track to suit up against the Bears, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets.
Battling a knee injury, Elliott not playing this week would give him an extended stretch to heal up. Dallas’ bye looms in Week 9. Jerry Jones cited the bye in addressing how the Cowboys plan to manage Elliott ahead of their Bears matchup. The owner’s comments during his most recent 105.3 The Fan appearance (Twitter links via the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken) point to the longtime starting back sitting Sunday.
Elliott suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain during the Cowboys’ Week 7 game against the Lions, Hill notes, adding the seventh-year back also sustained a thigh bruise. Mike McCarthy confirmed an MRI revealed a sprain but has not ruled Elliott out for Week 8.
The former rushing champion has not practiced this week. This is the same knee in which Elliott suffered a PCL tear in 2021. This element would certainly point to the Cowboys giving their longtime starter a longer recovery window. Given the nature of this injury, it obviously would not surprise if Elliott missed games coming out of the Cowboys’ bye week. Though, the former top-five pick has been a durable player throughout his NFL career.
Although Elliott missed six games in 2017 because of a suspension, he has never missed more than one in a season due to injury. The three-time Pro Bowler played all 18 Cowboys games last season, navigating the PCL issue to grind out a fourth 1,000-yard campaign. Zeke did not display top form as he played through that PCL injury, which could be expected, but he still scored 12 touchdowns and amassed 1,289 scrimmage yards.
This season, Elliott is averaging 4.1 yards per carry (109 totes, 443 yards). Pollard, who is in his fourth season in a change-of-pace role, is averaging 5.6 yards a pop (67 handoffs, 375 yards). The smaller back has also been a bigger part of Dallas’ passing game, totaling 105 receiving yards. Increased Pollard receiving usage came up during the offseason, but Sunday will represent a chance for more ground-game work. Pollard is on track to be a 2023 free agent, barring a Cowboys extension transpiring.
The Cowboys extended Elliott on a six-year, $90MM deal in 2019. He is tied to a $12.4MM base salary this season and a running back-high $18.2MM cap number. No other back counts more than $12MM against his team’s cap this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: K Rodrigo Blankenship
- Placed on IR: DL Rashard Lawrence
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: G Dieter Eiselen
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: LB Jacob Phillips
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from NFI: LB Damone Clark
- Placed on IR: OL Matt Farniok, CB Jourdan Lewis
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return: OL Tom Compton
Houston Texans
- Designated for return: DB Tavierre Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: S Trevor Denbow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Raiders practice squad: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: OT Jackson Barton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Attaochu
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: OT Yodny Cajuste
New York Giants
- Designated for return: OT Matt Peart, LB Elerson Smith, CB Rodarius Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return: TE Tyree Jackson
- Released: DE Tarron Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: S Nolan Turner