Latest Dak Prescott injury update leaves the Cowboys with obvious choice they need to make within 24 hours
When it rains, it pours: The Dallas Cowboys are 3-5 and are set to be without Dak Prescott for at least multiple weeks, per latest reports.According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, Prescott's hamstring injury that knocked him out of Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons is worse than originally expected and it's "not looking […]
When it rains, it pours: The Dallas Cowboys are 3-5 and are set to be without Dak Prescott for at least multiple weeks, per latest reports.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, Prescott's hamstring injury that knocked him out of Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons is worse than originally expected and it's "not looking like a short term injury."
With playoff odds that don't even exceed 10% in most statistical models, Prescott's injury update certainly feels like the final nail in the coffin for the Cowboys' 2024 NFL season.
The Cowboys have yet to determine in Prescott is going on Injured Reserve but based on where the team is right now, it makes sense to be cautious and keep the big picture in mind.
As of right now, the team is closer to a Top 10 draft pick than it is to a playoff bid. Although Cooper Rush has been more than serviceable as a backup in the past, it's simply very far-fetched to imagine him turning the season around considering the many woes that surround the team.
With all this in mind, it's inevitable to think about an obvious choice the Cowboys must make heading into the NFL trade deadline this Tuesday.
Cowboys should be sellers at the NFL trade deadline
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joked on the radio over the weekend that he could pull off a trade that steals headlines from Election Day, which coincides with the league's trade deadline on Tuesday, November 5th. Following Sunday's loss, Jones' tone was more serious as he suggested the team had a couple of moves they could make to improve the roster.
However, with Prescott injured and the team at 3-5, it's clear there's no point in giving up 2025 NFL Draft picks for a lost season. Instead, they should be sellers and try to increase their draft ammo ahead of next April.
Consider this: The team has a long list of 2025 free agents and it'll have a long list of team needs to deal with, as well. Simply put, they need the draft capital if they want to start an inevitable rebuild.
The problem becomes, which players can they realistically sell? There are big names like Osa Odighizuwa. Even though the Cowboys already are in dire need of a defensive tackle and it'd make little sense to give up the one good player they've got at the position, they'll have to open their wallet to extend him in 2025. These days, defensive tackles aren't exactly cheap. If the front office determines it won't get to extend him in 2025, they should try to get something in return.
If Brandin Cooks can return in 2024 after a knee infection, which he should based on expectations, he could be an interesting piece that could land the Cowboys a late-round pick. It would depend on health, but an even more extreme move could be moving DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who is also set to hit free agency in 2025.
The Cowboys have rarely been proactive regardless of their situation. But this time, it certainly feels like they've got no choice. It's time to rebuild and adding draft picks would be a good way to start. Let's see if they get busy ahead of Tuesday's end of day deadline to make any trades.
