Players with realistic trade value

[dckid]

As the trade deadline nears, there are several threads talking about trades as if we have a bunch of players that have real trade value. It seems at times that many of our fans overvalue our player, thinking our trash is someone else’s treasure. Or that there are a load of teams just salivating to acquire our not so stellar guys.

But it doesn’t work that way. In fact, compared to most pro sports, like the NBA or MLB, there are very few trades of consequence in the NFL at the mid season deadline.

So, if we were serious about trading some of our guys for an upgrade, who actually would have real trade value? Before listing those guys, let’s look at the big factors and questions other teams are going to look at before agreeing to a trade:

• The age and injury history of the player. A 30+ year old player has very little trade value, even if they are still a pretty good player. Injury history also factors in.
• Contract status. A player who is still a very good player but has a very big contract is usually not very attractive to teams wanting a trade. Most NFL teams do not have the cap space to take on a big contract from a player who may already have diminishing skills.
• Potential off field issues/Team chemistry issues- the poster children of this issue are Antonio Brown and Earl Thomas. Both can probably still play, but most teams don’t want to deal with the headaches and baggage they bring. NEVER FORGET- in a league starved for talent at many positions, if other teams are avoiding someone, pay attention.

So with those general guidelines, who are the players we have that are and aren’t trade-able?
Here are some talented guys who aren’t trade-able for a multitude of reasons:

• D-Law- Big contract, approaching 30 and has some injury history.
• Tyron Smith- age, injury, contract- the trifecta. You couldn’t get a 7th rounder. I actually think he’s going to retire in the off season.
• Zeke- He’s just 25, but he has a big contract no one would want, and like all great RBs, after 5 seasons, his best days are probably not in front of him. We already see a lack of burst. He’s still a very good RB, but not great trade bait.
  
• LVE- two words- Neck injuries.
• La’el Collins- again- injuries. And a sizable contract.
• Amari Cooper- still an excellent receiver, but he’s got a big contract that few if any teams would want. Maybe in the offseason. Maybe.

Guys with great trade value- although we probably wouldn’t want to trade:

• Michael Gallup- still very young, still blossoming, and has a rookie deal for another full season. I would trade Cooper before Gallup if possible, although most teams wouldn’t trade for Coop.
• Zack Martin- contract might be too high, but he’s still a top 3 OL in the NFL and he’s 29. I wouldn’t trade him, but there’s probably some value there.
• CeDee Lamb- no way I’d trade him, but he would have great value at 22, and on a rookie deal for 3 more full seasons. Might be the only player we have that would garner a first round pick.

There are some mid level players we have that have a little value- maybe 6th or 7th round value, but that might be a stretch. Again, home town fans ALWAYS overvalue their own players.

All this to say....I don’t see the Cowboys being able to do much in a trade. Do you?

Trade Gallup to the Chiefs get a late first round pick. I would not even think twice about that trade.
Even with Dak passing for 500 yards a game, Gallup was not averaging 100... Think about that statement.
Gallup is a luxury on this team. Lamb is locked in 5 years, Cooper is in year 1 of a gigantic deal.
Smart teams would trade Gallup and get a first while you can. KC has a need.
Their offense has gone a bit stale, adding Gallup would really help them and they are the team that wants to win today. They would trade the future for today.
Be smart for once, Be smart. Gallup is not a HOF'er. Gallup is really good, has a lot speed.
Trade him and get another chip. Maybe a blue chip QB falls next year we can swoop in and take him like the Ravens did with Lamar.
My logic is iron clad.
Of course I don't know if a player will fall, no one can have that kind of answer. Be smart

 

[Verdict]

One more consideration in trading is the availability of players at the position. WR's a pretty easy to get.

Cooper, Gallup and Lamb would be good candidates except young WRs are coming out of every draft and making noise in their rookie season. With the salaries in the 20M range, a smart team has WR's in their first contract.

The best trade situation is a contender in dire need because they lost their guy for the season.

If anyone here thinks Booger is giving up his draft prize, Lamb, think again. And 16 teams passed on him in the draft.

Cee Dee is a guy who lasted as long as he did because teams in front of us drafted based on need rather than talent. How many teams in front of us will regret passing on Cee Dee? Most of them, probably. Possibly all of them.

 

[Kaiser]

Tyron Smith is definitely tradeable. He only makes $12 million and is still a top 5 tackle when healthy.

And trades for players like him are always conditional, for different picks depending on how he plays.

I don't think the issue is a lack of talent where we need to trade guys to stockpile picks, I think the issue is we need the players to gel with the new defensive scheme since its a Covid year with no preseason.

 

[Verdict]

Trade Gallup to the Chiefs get a late first round pick. I would not even think twice about that trade.
Even with Dak passing for 500 yards a game, Gallup was not averaging 100... Think about that statement.
Gallup is a luxury on this team. Lamb is locked in 5 years, Cooper is in year 1 of a gigantic deal.
Smart teams would trade Gallup and get a first while you can. KC has a need.
Their offense has gone a bit stale, adding Gallup would really help them and they are the team that wants to win today. They would trade the future for today.
Be smart for once, Be smart. Gallup is not a HOF'er. Gallup is really good, has a lot speed.
Trade him and get another chip. Maybe a blue chip QB falls next year we can swoop in and take him like the Ravens did with Lamar.
My logic is iron clad.
Of course I don't know if a player will fall, no one can have that kind of answer. Be smart

I'm not sure that you would get a receiver as good as Gallup, even in the first round, but with the cheap cap hit that it gives you for several years, it may be worth the exchange of a first round pick. You are going to have to pay Gallup to keep him around.

Of course, once you do, your prospects for this year are pretty much over. FYI- I would try to extend Wilson right now for a couple of million per year. He is worth more than that. He just hasn't been healthy.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Since the convoluted salary cap has been implemented, trades in the NFL are relatively rare. And trading for a WR at midseason is usually considered not so smart...unless your name is Jerral Wayne Jones. If we have a first round pick, there’s always room for another WR on the Jones Fantasy Football Squad.

Bingo. FF is exactly what the Jones boyz know............either that or they stumbled upon a memoir of Matt Millens football philosophy.

 

[Kaiser]

Bingo. FF is exactly what the Jones boyz know............either that or they stumbled upon a memoir of Matt Millens football philosophy.

Is there anyone on Earth complaining about the Amari Cooper trade?

 

[CATCH17]

Franchise Dak and trade him if someone is dumb enough to trade.

Gallup is not going to be worth trading. He's got time left on his deal and it's better to have him then a 2nd round pick.

Plus.. Gallup stretches the sideline and makes space for everyone else. I'd hate to lose that.

 

[Tussinman]

He hasn't played a full season since 2015, is out for this one, is over 30, and has a history of neck and back issues. His cap hit over the next 3 years exceeds $45 million.

None of that puts him in high demand for the future, regardless of what he was in the past.

I don't think he's high demand but the numbers are a little off. Cap hit is irrelevant for the team that would get him, their cap hit would only be his base rate which would be about 3 years at 37 million.

The cowboys would have to take the remaining money (restructure) as a hit on there end

 

[INCowboysFan]

Trade Gallup to the Chiefs get a late first round pick. I would not even think twice about that trade.
Even with Dak passing for 500 yards a game, Gallup was not averaging 100... Think about that statement.
Gallup is a luxury on this team. Lamb is locked in 5 years, Cooper is in year 1 of a gigantic deal.
Smart teams would trade Gallup and get a first while you can. KC has a need.
Their offense has gone a bit stale, adding Gallup would really help them and they are the team that wants to win today. They would trade the future for today.
Be smart for once, Be smart. Gallup is not a HOF'er. Gallup is really good, has a lot speed.
Trade him and get another chip. Maybe a blue chip QB falls next year we can swoop in and take him like the Ravens did with Lamar.
My logic is iron clad.
Of course I don't know if a player will fall, no one can have that kind of answer. Be smart

KC has the #3 pass offense in the NFL. They have Hill, Watkins, Harman and Kelce to throw the ball to. Where exactly would Gallup fit in there and why on earth would KC be willing to trade another 1st for another WR when they already have approx $45M of their salary cap devoted to those 4 guys I listed?? Watkins is a FA in 2021, but they are projected to be $10M over the cap next year. They will be shedding some salary and will need the draft picks so they can have cheap talent. Adding somebody like Gallup will not help them in that regard. Cripes!

 

[jazzcat22]

I absolutely love Gallup. He's a stud with a bright future. I want him to wear a gold jacket one day, because he had an excellent career as a Dallas Cowboy.

That being said, if a team comes at me with an Adams/Fitzpatrick type trade haul? No hesitation, I'm taking that trade.

Dallas has some odd 12+ contracts coming up, and with no idea what the Cap is going to be like next year..they need as many picks as they can get. Especially for blue-chip talent.

they usually have 18 to 20 URFA’s anyway, and they sign their own they want to sign. It works out. But as of now theY should have 10 drafts picks and that will be fine to replace any players that leaves. As well as any FA’s they sign.

I do not want them making trades just to get draft picks. Stay with who you have if they are top talent.

 

[dckid]

KC has the #3 pass offense in the NFL. They have Hill, Watkins, Harman and Kelce to throw the ball to. Where exactly would Gallup fit in there and why on earth would KC be willing to trade another 1st for another WR when they already have approx $45M of their salary cap devoted to those 4 guys I listed?? Watkins is a FA in 2021, but they are projected to be $10M over the cap next year. They will be shedding some salary and will need the draft picks so they can have cheap talent. Adding somebody like Gallup will not help them in that regard. Cripes!

Dude you answered your own question. Gallup has a third round salary right now. Watkins is injured. Do you think they prefer Watkins or Gallup?
If KC thinks they reach another super bowl they will mortgage their future. Teams get desperate when they go all in. KC is the dictionary definition of going all in. They spent so much money this offseason signing their guys.
Watkins is injured and also their offense has been less than impressive other than the Ravens game. They were not that impressive against the Texans, Pats or Raiders.
My thought is not that hard to fathom.

 

[Bobhaze]

Trade Gallup to the Chiefs get a late first round pick. I would not even think twice about that trade.
Even with Dak passing for 500 yards a game, Gallup was not averaging 100... Think about that statement.
Gallup is a luxury on this team. Lamb is locked in 5 years, Cooper is in year 1 of a gigantic deal.
Smart teams would trade Gallup and get a first while you can. KC has a need.
Their offense has gone a bit stale, adding Gallup would really help them and they are the team that wants to win today. They would trade the future for today.
Be smart for once, Be smart. Gallup is not a HOF'er. Gallup is really good, has a lot speed.
Trade him and get another chip. Maybe a blue chip QB falls next year we can swoop in and take him like the Ravens did with Lamar.
My logic is iron clad.
Of course I don't know if a player will fall, no one can have that kind of answer. Be smart

Why would the defending SB champs be interested in a trade for a WR in exchange for a first round pick? Most smart orgs don’t make trades like that.

 

[dckid]

Why would the defending SB champs be interested in a trade for a WR in exchange for a first round pick? Most smart orgs don’t make trades like that.

Of course we are all just being hypothetical. I can see that as an opportunity.
Why would the Texans trade Hopkins this offseason?
Why would the Niners trade for Sanders?
Why would the pats trade a second rounder for Sanu?
Smart orgs make desperate trades all the time. It happens

Let's not be like.. we like our guys. Teams get better, Gallup is not going to carry this team to a SB. He will not be signed if Cooper and Lamb produce. Those are the facts.

 

[Bobhaze]

Is there anyone on Earth complaining about the Amari Cooper trade?

IMO, the Cooper trade was good for about a year and a half, partly because this FO had so badly prepared for having a competent set of WRs going into 2018, they felt they had to make a desperate trade to save 2018. It worked out by translating into one WC playoff game win if that’s really an accomplishment.

Well...Kind of worked I should say. We lost a first round pick, and then a year and a half later, paid market price for a player who is a really good player, but at a position we really didn’t need big cap space given to it. Most smart NFL teams are very loathe to overspend at WR because it’s one of the easier positions to find competent talent.

Respectfully, count me in as a guy who feel “meh” about the Cooper trade.

 

[Bobhaze]

Of course we are all just being hypothetical. I can see that as an opportunity.
Why would the Texans trade Hopkins this offseason?
Why would the Niners trade for Sanders?
Why would the pats trade a second rounder for Sanu?
Smart orgs make desperate trades all the time. It happens

Let's not be like.. we like our guys. Teams get better, Gallup is not going to carry this team to a SB. He will not be signed if Cooper and Lamb produce. Those are the facts.

I agree with you that the “we like our guys” attitude is stupid. Especially when those guys have helped your team do nothing. But I also think you have to be careful not to be the fantasy football owner where you chase stars, name players and sizzle, without a big picture plan to build a team.

Individual talent is important. But talent alone doesn’t win championships. Jerry has always seemed to just attempt to acquire talent without having a plan for how that talent makes a strategic, cohesive unit that wins.

 

[INCowboysFan]

Dude you answered your own question. Gallup has a third round salary right now. Watkins is injured. Do you think they prefer Watkins or Gallup?
If KC thinks they reach another super bowl they will mortgage their future. Teams get desperate when they go all in. KC is the dictionary definition of going all in. They spent so much money this offseason signing their guys.
Watkins is injured and also their offense has been less than impressive other than the Ravens game. They were not that impressive against the Texans, Pats or Raiders.
My thought is not that hard to fathom.

Not that impressive, yet they are averaging 30 ppg right now. I guarantee that they think they can get back to the superbowl with what they have at WR. Watkins will be back. It's asinine to think they give up a valuable #1 draft pick for a guy that would likely be the 3rd option in the passing game for them (behind Kelce and Hill). If anything, they would make a move for some defensive help.

 

[dckid]

Not that impressive, yet they are averaging 30 ppg right now. I guarantee that they think they can get back to the superbowl with what they have at WR. Watkins will be back. It's asinine to think they give up a valuable #1 draft pick for a guy that would likely be the 3rd option in the passing game for them (behind Kelce and Hill). If anything, they would make a move for some defensive help.

Let’s agree to disagree. This thread was about who could we possibly trade discussion. Don’t overvalue Gallup for us. He would be great in KC or even Baltimore.
Look at what Diggs did for Josh Allen? Teams who are hell bent on winning now will make moves with a myopic view. Let’s not think that it cannot happen.
Shop him for a first.

 

[INCowboysFan]

Let’s agree to disagree. This thread was about who could we possibly trade discussion. Don’t overvalue Gallup for us. He would be great in KC or even Baltimore.
Look at what Diggs did for Josh Allen? Teams who are hell bent on winning now will make moves with a myopic view. Let’s not think that it cannot happen.
Shop him for a first.

You are the one overvaluing Gallup if you think we can get a first for him. He's a very good #2 receiver. Nobody gives up a first for a #2 receiver.

 

[DoctorChicken]

I think the most tradable asset on our team right now has to be Gallup. For the partner because he’s an absolute dawg and still on a rookie contract; and for us because we’d still have Amari and Lamb.

I am definitely not for trading away from a position of strength. I’m for keeping strong areas on the team strong. Our WRs are playing well together.

But if some team offered a 1st round pick, or maybe a good young DT for Gallup... it’d be something you’d have to consider.

 

[dckid]

IMO, the Cooper trade was good for about a year and a half, partly because this FO had so badly prepared for having a competent set of WRs going into 2018, they felt they had to make a desperate trade to save 2018. It worked out by translating into one WC playoff game win if that’s really an accomplishment.

Well...Kind of worked I should say. We lost a first round pick, and then a year and a half later, paid market price for a player who is a really good player, but at a position we really didn’t need big cap space given to it. Most smart NFL teams are very loathe to overspend at WR because it’s one of the easier positions to find competent talent.

Respectfully, count me in as a guy who feel “meh” about the Cooper trade.

I wish we could somehow find what we wrote about that trade when it happened. Don’t always judge the results in a bad process. The Cowboys were below .500 when they traded for Cooper we got lucky that he unlocked Dak that year. One in 10 chance of that happening. We were in line for a top 5 pick when that trade was made. Every expert said it was a bad trade. In the long term it should be process over results. Never trade a top 5 pick with a fixed cost to a team so that you get back a player in his 4th year and a big bill coming due.
It worked out for us, but half the board thinks he takes plays off and wants to keep Gallup over him.