The Dallas Cowboys have been allergic to free agency over the last decade plus. Apparently nothing’s changed on that front and everyone knows the reasons why. Dallas looks at big signing bonuses and guaranteed money as rewards given to employees who have done great work for them. When the work has been done on other teams, they are less inclined to pay the going rate.
This offseason, though, they’ve finally realized that there is a third method of talent acquisition they’ve largely ignored. Dallas is in the veteran trade market. First they acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore from Indianapolis for a comp fifth rounder. Now they are using late-round picks again in acquiring WR Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans.
Sources: The #Texans are trading WR Brandin Cooks to the #Cowboys for a 5th this year and 6th next year. A big-play threat for Dallas.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2023