If you watched the debacle of a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, you know one thing is apparent.

The 49ers are in a different stratosphere than the Cowboys are right now. This comes down to multiple issues the Cowboys need to address, but we have seen them turn their season around after making a blockbuster trade mid-season. 

Now, I don't think one player can come in and change the trajectory of the Dallas Cowboys. However, that doesn't mean they think that. They obviously bought into the Mike McCarthy facade of "I've changed, let me call plays." So who is to say they don't think they are closer to a Super Bowl than many would say?

First, we must address the biggest needs the Cowboys currently have.

Linebacker is an obvious one. The Cowboys lost rookie DeMarvion Overshown to a torn ACL in a preseason loss to Seattle. Most recently, starting linebacker Leighton Vander Esch went down with an injury vs the 49ers. 

The Cowboys made a roster move in reaction to his injury and signed former first-round pick Rashaan Evans. 

But is that enough? As it stands Evans is currently on the practice squad. Sure the Cowboys can do some finagling and work him onto the 53, or they can add more help.

Trade Target #1: LB Jordan Hicks

The first name I want to bring to the table is Minnesota Vikings LB, Jordan Hicks.

Hicks is a member of an underperforming Vikings team, who just placed their best player on injured reserve. As it stands they are tied with the Chicago Bears for dead last in the NFC North with a record of 1-4.

It could be time to trade players who have value, gain draft assets, and regroup for next year. This is where Hicks enters the discussion. 

Hicks has had a solid year per PFF bringing in an 80.9 overall defense grade, 79.6 run defense grade, and a 78.1 coverage grade. 

He could be a solid piece who can immediately step onto the 53-man roster and have an impact. The trade I am proposing is a fourth-round pick for Jordan Hicks.

Trade Target #2: WR Courtland Sutton

The next position the Cowboys could use some help at is receiver. Michael Gallup was once considered one of the biggest steals of the draft, but then, he got hurt. Since he has come back from his ACL injury, he simply has not been the same.

Gallup made his calling in Dallas being the contested catch receiver the Cowboys offense needed. This year he has nine contested catch targets and only two contested catches have been brought in. How about we bring in a new contested catch wide receiver?

Let's bring home former SMU Mustang, Courtland Sutton. In terms of contested catches Sutton has been targetted ten times, and has brought in five. He can be the contested catch receiver the Cowboys have missed since Gallup's injury. 

The Cowboys have notoriously struck out with their second-round picks, so let's send the Broncos a second-round pick and they send Sutton to Dallas.

If the right player became available, I think the Cowboys would seriously consider making a move.

Trade Target #3: Third-round draft pick for Gallup

The third trade target we're doing here is one I would consider after making a move for another contested catch receiver. In this scenario, we just hypothetically traded for Courtland Sutton, but we still have Michael Gallup. 

We don't need both of them so let's move Gallup to a team who has the money and could use another outside receiver. The Chiefs and the Texans are the two that come to mind.

Let's send Gallup and a fifth to one of them for a third. Both of the teams are in need of an outside receiver so I would send the offer to both of them and whoever accepts it first would get him. 

I personally don't think any one player can come in and elevate the Cowboys enough to be Super Bowl contenders; the issues go much deeper than that in my eyes. However, these trades could be good steps towards building a better future. 

Cowboys: When could Leighton Vander Esch return?

Cowboys LB will be out for a while.

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