Grading the Dallas Cowboys’ latest trade: The truth behind the Asim Richards trade ahead of the 2025 NFL season

The Cowboys traded the third-year offensive lineman to the New Orleans Saints.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Asim Richards (76) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas.
Chris Jones-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys are sending backup offensive lineman Asim Richards to the New Orleans Saints in a trade, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The third-year offensive lineman 21 games for the Cowboys after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and was competing for the backup left tackle job during training camp. However, as the Cowboys aim to finalize roster cuts to comply with the 53-player limit set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, they’re letting him go for draft pick compensation.

According to Schefter, the trade is a Day 3 picks swap for the 2028 NFL Draft. That is not a typo. In addition to Richards, the Cowboys are sending a 2028 seventh-round draft pick. They’re getting a 2028 sixth-round draft pick in return.

Grading the trade of OL Asim Richards

Here’s the bottom line: The Cowboys were going to waive Richards, so instead, this ensures they get something in return instead of simply cutting him and walking away empty handed. Fans will not throw a party over a Day 3 pick swap. Some won’t even remember it three years from now but for the front office, it was that or nothing.

The decision is the last domino to fall on something that had become clear earlier in the preseason: Richards wasn’t going to beat second-year offensive tackle Nate Thomas for the backup spot at left tackle. Meanwhile, veteran Hakeem Adeniji and rookie Ajani Cornelius split time at right tackle. The Cowboys appear to want to avoid having a “swing tackle,” instead betting on having full-time backups on each end of the offensive line.

Meanwhile, Richards lands on a team where he can likely win a backup spot down the road. With the Cowboys, Richards displayed solid pass protection working at left tackle. He also provides position flexibility as he can play at guard.

I can’t give this trade a top grade just because it moves the needle in a miniscule way. However, I can’t grade it negatively because again, it was that or nothing. If the Saints hadn’t agreed to a deal, Richards’ name simply would’ve been on the long list of young players waived by Dallas on Tuesday.

FINAL GRADE: B

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