The Cowboys name will always be included in trade speculation
Coming into the season defensive end was one of the Dallas Cowboys’ thinnest position groups. Dallas lost veterans Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. to the Washington Commanders in free agency, and added just one impact edge rusher, second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland, to replace the duo.
As the season has gone on, the Cowboys’ edge depth has gotten even worse. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were both injured in Dallas’ Week 4 win over the New York Giants, and neither has seen the field since. The following week, Kneeland, who Dallas was relying on to step up with the two veterans out, suffered a knee injury that will force him to miss a good portion of the regular season.
Dallas’ lack of pass-rush has been evident in their past two games. Against the Lions, the Cowboys had to go deep into their depth chart with Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat, K.J. Henry and Carl Lawson as their primary edge rushers. No disrespect intended, but that is not exactly a fearsome group.
Even with Parsons set to return this week or next, the Cowboys could desperately use some pass-rush help. As the trade deadline nears, Dallas could look outside the organization to grab a pass-rusher to play alongside the All-Pro.
One guy to consider would be Chase Young of the New Orleans Saints. In an article on Bleacher Report, the Cowboys were labeled as one of the potential landing spots for the former number-two overall pick. Here’s what they had to say about why Young could be shipped off at the deadline.
The Saints got off to a promising 2-0 start, but their 2024 campaign has since been derailed by multiple injuries. With players like Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Derek Carr and Taysom Hill out, New Orleans isn’t equipped to compete, and the players know it.
Thursday’s 33-10 home loss to the Denver Broncos was an embarrassing display of poor effort and even worse tackling. There’s still a slight chance New Orleans can get healthier and rebound, but it may be time to punt on the rest of the season.
And if New Orleans begins rebuilding in 2025, it may have to do so with budget contracts and rookie deals. The Saints are projected to be $97.6 million over the cap next offseason.
Trading pass-rusher Chase Young, who is on a one-year, $13 million deal, would provide no 2025 cap relief. However, it would net the Saints some valuable draft capital. Young has tallied 1.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures in seven games this season.
The Dallas Cowboys, who are dealing with the injuries of DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, should also be interested. Cowboys defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina coached Young with the Commanders in 2022 and 2023.
Young is on a one-year deal, so the cost to acquire him wouldn’t be all that much. The Cowboys could likely add the pass-rusher in exchange for a late-round draft pick. While he isn’t the player he once was, Young is still superior to what Dallas has been running out on the edges the past couple of weeks.
Acquiring Chase Young would be a low-risk, high-reward move. The Cowboys should seriously consider adding the 25-year-old before the trade deadline.
