Listen, I love the NFL trade deadline speculation as much as the next guy. But at least when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, I've got to admit most of the exercise feels eternally futile.

We might bring up a thousand different names they could trade for and either they won't do it at all or they'll pull off a trade for someone the casual fan hasn't really heard of. 

NFL insider Jordan Schultz believes the Cowboys "will be aggressive" as buyers at the deadline but who knows what that really means. 

That's why instead of looking at specific names the Cowboys could target, we'll focus mostly on the three positions they could seek to upgrade and their current status at each. We'll also bring up a trade candidate for each position, but the focus will remain on what the Cowboys have and don't have. Here we go. 

1. Cornerback 

Everyone knows there's no such thing as having too many defensive ends. It's one of football's biggest clichés. But in a passing league where three wide receiver lineups are the norm, there's also no such thing as too many cornerbacks.

Following Trevon Diggs' injury, it's become easy to question the Cowboys' depth. Besides starters Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis (nickel), here's what the CB room looks like in Dallas: 

• Eric Scott Jr. – Has yet to be active this season. 
• Noah Igbinoghene – Mostly played special teams, with little contribution on defense.
• Nahshon Wright – The most promising backup, considering he was a training camp standout. Yet, just returned from IR and could be rusty.

The Cowboys are an injury away from potential disaster in the secondary and a trade now could help improve the depth. 

• Realistic trade candidate: CB Kristian Fulton, Tennessee Titans
• A talented player who has struggled during the 2022 season and could benefit from a change in scenery. Could cost as little as a sixth-round draft pick.

2. Linebacker

The LB room on the Cowboys' 53-man roster is still ridiculous. Officially, it's only Damone Clark and Malik Jefferson (who has six defensive snaps in three games played). In reality, safety Markquese Bell should be included as the other starter. 

But the team still needs traditional linebacker depth. The Cowboys already added Rashaan Evans (practice squad) and he'll likely be elevated starting in Week 8. But Dallas should try to upgrade the position, especially when the rivals to beat in your conference are the heavy-personnel San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

• Realistic trade candidate: LB Jordan Hicks, Minnesota Vikings
• A seasoned veteran who knows his way around multiple defensive schemes. Hicks is Pro Football Focus' sixth-best linebacker overall. With a 2-4 record and an injured Justin Jefferson, Hicks could go for as low as a fifth-rounder. My colleague Tyler Browning proposed this trade in an earlier article looking at trade scenarios.

3. Wide Receiver

Michael Gallup hasn't been the same weapon for the Cowboys since he injured his knee at the end of the 2021 NFL season. 

CeeDee Lamb has the makings of a true WR1 and Brandin Cooks is starting to break out in his new team. But Gallup is struggling to gain separation and to fight for the ball in contested routes.

The team could play Jalen Tolbert, but even that is a risk. Other than that, there isn't another realistic in-house option. KaVontae Turpin has played in just 13.2% of the offensive snaps. The alternative is clear: Get someone who can play the position better.

• Realistic trade candidate: WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos.
• A less expensive target than Jerry Jeudy. He's caught 21 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. But he's been more productive in the past. With two years on his contract and no guaranteed money on his deal, he could go for about a fifth-rounder.

Cowboys: 3 trade deadline targets to consider

The Cowboys haven’t been afraid to make big changes prior to the trade deadline before. Will they do it again?