Jerry Jones suggests Dallas Cowboys could make trade before NFL deadline 'if I see something'

Dallas Cowboys (3-4) owner Jerry Jones addressed Friday the possibility of making a move ahead of this Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET.

Jones said, “if I see something” available, he will look for ways to “improve our team.”

“If I see something … we look for all the meat on the bone that can improve our team,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.

Jones and the Cowboys did not make move at the deadline last season, at which point they were 5-2 and looked like a legit Super Bowl contender. Things are a bit different this season, as Dallas is riding a two-game losing streak with holes all over its roster.

Upgrades are needed and for precedent, look no further than the 2018 campaign. The Cowboys were 3-4 at the deadline, and made a splash move in acquiring receiver Amari Cooper from the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6). Dallas went on a run after Cooper arrived, finishing 10-6 and going as far as the NFC Divisional Round.

Will Cowboys make upgrades to roster ahead of NFL trade deadline?

A receiver this time around would be helpful, as the passing offense has been ultra reliant on CeeDee Lamb (45 receptions, 613 yards, four touchdowns). Other areas of concern are at running back, defensive tackle and offensive line. Cornerback could be another position of need, as Jones announced Friday that Trevon Diggs suffered a “tear in his calf” in this past Sunday’s 30-24 Week 8 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers (4-4).

The Cowboys have the league’s worst rushing attack, averaging 74.1 yards per game. Dallas is tied with the Carolina Panthers (1-7) for the NFL‘s worst run defense, with Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith struggling in their starting roles. Along the offensive line, 2024 first round pick Tyler Guyton has been underwhelming at left tackle, with Terence Steele and Zack Martin experiencing down years on the right side of the line.

Cowboys exec Stephen Jones: ‘The salary cap is what it is’

Whether or not these problems are fixable in season or if there are options available are the biggest questions. The Cowboys do have $20.5 million in 2024 cap space, though they recently handed out big money deals to Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott and are working on one for linebacker Micah Parsons, currently sidelined with a high-ankle sprain.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said they are “looking for younger guys” on the roster to step up. Jones mentioned the expected return of several key contributors, including Parsons, cornerback DaRon Bland, defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence, receiver Brandin Cooks and linebacker Marshawn Kneeland.

“We’ll do business as usual,” Jones said last Sunday. “We’ve got a lot of good players that are going to be coming back over the next three or four weeks. We also know that’s an important part of this. I know no one likes to hear about the business side of it, but the salary cap is what it is.

“Obviously, we made some tough decisions in the offseason, so we’re looking for younger guys who can help. But if the right deal pops itself up, then we’ll certainly look at that.”