Dallas Cowboys named a top candidate to make a trade for a Pro Bowler, here’s what a good offer could look like
The Indianapolis Colts are looking into trading cornerback Kenny Moore II and the Dallas Cowboys make sense as a partner. How much would it take? We’ve got a trade scenario.
Chances are you know about the Dallas Cowboys’ need for a nickel cornerback. For starters, they haven’t been shy about it.
“At the end of the day, we’d love to have a guy that would allow us to keep DaRon outside,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said last month, echoing Jerry Jones’ admitted regret of having let go Jourdan Lewis in free agency last year.
Well, now one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL is on the trade block: Indianapolis Colts CB Kenny Moore II. And our own Destin Adams from A to Z Sports Indianapolis sees the Cowboys as a top trade candidate.
Cowboys headline Top 4 teams in the NFL that should trade for Moore II
In a recent article, Adams listed four teams that stand out as the best fits for Moore II—who was recently granted permission to seek a trade. The Cowboys sit atop the list and for good reason.
“Moore would slide into the starting slot position, allowing the team to focus on finding a second starting outside corner to play with DaRon Bland,” Adams writes. “The Cowboys also own a third-round, a fourth-round, and three fifth-round picks, all of which fall within the expected range of picks the Colts are likely to net in a trade.”
I highly agree with Adams.
Even with two first-round picks, the Cowboys aren’t going to be able to fix their defense if they rely solely on rookies. Schottenheimer made it clear one spot he is worried about is the nickel position and under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, it’s expected to be a valued position in the building.
Thus, adding a Pro Bowl cornerback like Moore could fill one of their biggest needs—and it may not take more than a Day 3 pick.
Potential trade cost
At 31 years old and on a contract year, I don’t expect Moore to be a costly trade. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys can get Moore with No. 152 overall (fifth round). If anything, pick No. 112 overall in the fourth round is probably the ceiling of what the Cowboys would be willing to give up. And I’d bet they would get a later pick in return if they offered that much.
After all, for the Colts, dealing Moore II away is more about them falling in love with Justin Walley, who is entering his second year in the league. Here’s a trade scenario that I believe would go through:
Cowboys get: CB Kenny Moore II, No. 156 (fifth round)
Colts get: Pick No. 112 (fourth round)
Per the Rich Hill trade chart, the above return would equate a late fourth-rounder, approximately.
With all that being said, I’d expect the Cowboys to consider this until the draft comes around. If they wind up with one of the top cornerbacks of the class, they may be less enticed to pull the trigger on such a trade. Instead, if they bet on EDGE and LB (for example) in the first-round, going after Moore II would make much more sense.