Jones’ curious decision to trade away Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns last offseason left Dallas without a reliable No. 2 to complement star CeeDee Lamb. The latter tuned in a career year, but after Lamb, Dallas’ leading receiver was second in team receiving with 577 yards.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 26: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
With limited cap space, Jones may find it hard to make a move for a pricy free agent or a veteran via the trade market like DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans or Tee Higgins.
Over at the Cowboys’ SB Nation site, Blogging the Boys, Dan Rogers proposed the idea of Dallas trading for Denver Broncos’ wideout Jerry Jeudy. The latter would be affordable since he’s still under his rookie contract:
“The reason he’s listed here is that the Cowboys reportedly made an offer for his services last year near the trade deadline. Now, we have no idea just what the front office was willing to part with, but Jeudy’s asking price was in the neighborhood of a second-round pick last year. The asking price should be a little less now, but the Cowboys would only be looking at a possible one-year rental as the team wouldn’t likely commit future cap resources his way when a Lamb extension is on the horizon.
Jeudy would instantly make the Cowboys passing attack lethal as he’s one of the game’s best separators, but this move would be costly.”
Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy was one of the few positives for the Broncos last season. Despite frustrating quarterback play from Russell Wilson, the Alabama product turned in a career year with 67 receptions for 972 yards and six touchdowns.
The Broncos traded for former New Orleans Saints’ head coach Sean Payton this offseason, a firm indicator that they want to stay in win-now mode. Trading a rising star like Jeudy would be a giant risk on Denver’s end, but if they end up getting a good offer, GM George Paton could find it tough to pass up.
Having Jeudy complement another elite speedster and route-runner in Lamb could help take this offense to another level. Whether it’s Jeudy or someone else, it’s imperative for Jones to add another playmaking receiver to this offense.