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Former No. 1 pick among 5 potential draft-day Cowboys trade targets
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- Former No. 1 pick among 5 potential draft-day Cowboys trade targets
After trading for Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers , the Cowboys had unofficially confirmed their player acquisition method of choice is absorbing the final years of a contract without the guaranteed money attached to free agency. It's simply happened too many times in the recent past to ignore. Things started a few seasons ago with WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore , and then last season they acquired WR George Pickens and DT Quinnen Williams .
And while the Cowboys have the No. 12 and No. 20 picks in the draft's first round to resolve the issue, they might still favor the sure thing of a trade. But who, and maybe more importantly, when?
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The Cowboys acquired Pickens following the proceedings of the draft. Perhaps Dallas could put some things in place with other NFL teams where if something falls their way, they'd be willing to part ways with a veteran. This would look something like, Team A really likes a linebacker prospect, but if he doesn't fall to them, they'd rather sit with the pricey veteran. But if he makes it to their pick, the vet is now available to be traded for.
Here's a look at players who could sneakily be on the trade market, who the Cowboys should be having internal discussions about.
LB/Edge Frankie Luvu , Washington
Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) celebrates after making a play Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Commanders signed Luvu to a three-year, $31 million deal in 2024, and things were glorious in his first year in Dan Quinn's regime. As a versatile linebacker-slash-edge rusher, Luvu checked in with a career high 8 sacks and 14 QB hits, while notching 99 tackles. Last year didn't go as well, with only three QB takedowns and only 86 tackles, despite playing in all 17 games.
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Should Washington land themselves one of the top linebackers in this class like Arvel Reese or Sonny Styles , perhaps they'd be willing to move Luvu, who would seem to fit Christian Parker's plans pretty well. Trading him would save Washington $9 million in cash (which Dallas would absorb) and around $6 million in cap space.
Edge Travon Walker , Jaguars
Nov 6, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) runs out of the tunnel with a Marines flag before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Walker was the No. 1 pick of the 2022 draft out of Georgia and is set to play on the fifth-year option for $15.2 million this season. He's played both as a stand-up rusher and a hand-in-the-dirt guy and could have a similar role if he were in Dallas. His numbers fell off last season with only 3.5 sacks after back-to-back 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. The cause was likely playing through wrist and knee injuries that limited him to 14 games.
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For whatever reason, the Jaguars have been slow to sign Walker to an extension, so one would have to think they'd at least consider a trade offer, especially if they were able to replace him in the draft. Without a first-round pick, perhaps they'd be interested in swap that included Walker and Dallas' No. 20 selection.
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux , Giants
Thibodeaux is also a member of the 2022 class, who has not fared as well as Walker. His second season saw him notch a career-high 11.5 sacks, but it's been downhill since. Sitting with the No. 5 selection in each round, the Giants could easily grab one of the top rushers in this class to be the third addition to Brian Burns and Abdul Carter , and allow Thibodeaux out the door on his $14.7 million fifth-year option. He'd likely be available for a Day 3 selection at that point.
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LB Divine Deablo , Falcons
Sep 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Divine Deablo (0) tackles Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Crown Media's and former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus made a great point on a recent podcast that it's wise to look at teams with new GMs as they aren't locked in to players from the previous regime. If that's the case in Atlanta , then perhaps they'd consider moving on from Deablo, who is in the final year of his deal. The catch is that despite getting a new GM and head coach, Jeff Ulbrich returns as their defensive coordinator, so it wasn't a full clean sweep.
Moving Deablo would save them $6 million in cash. They lost Kaden Elliss in free agency, and replaced him with former Texans LB Christian Harris . Atlanta likely wants to keep at least one starter as a holdover, but if they land a player such as CJ Allen or Jacob Rodriguez in the draft, perhaps they'd be willing to part with Deablo.
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Jordyn Brooks , Dolphins
Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is sacked by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
This is the one that makes the most sense, and one that has been talked about a bunch. The Dolphins are purging salary and talent and Brooks is one of the last men standing in both categories under their new regime. They'd save around $8.3 million in cash, but much less in cap space by trading Brooks, who would slot in as the man for Parker's crew. Brooks was a First-Team All-Pro last season despite the Miami drama, and Dallas would likely ink him to an immediate extension to be part of their foreseeable future.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Travon Walker, Luvu among 5 trade targets Cowboys should call about
