Dallas open to trade failed 1st round pick

It seems so Dallas Cowboys ready to admit a mistake. After trading Micah Parsonsthat left a gaping hole in its pass rush, Dallas is now poised to cut ties with 2023 first-rounder Mazie Smith as it looks for help before Tuesday’s deadline.

Dallas is actively exploring add-ons for Edge Rusher, with several names appear in trade talks ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

“Arden Key, the Dolphins’ Jalan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, and the Raiders’ Malcolm Kuhns are among the top players that could be traded. Dallas also appears open to trading 2023 first-round pick DT Mazie Smith, who has played in just five games this season,” according to NFL insider Iank Rapoport.

There were also rumors that they were making inquiries Max Crosby and Trey Hendricksonalthough those talks have gone nowhere since those players likely won’t be traded.

A two-pronged approach makes sense for a team still in the playoffs. Trading a former first-round pick after less than two seasons signals that Dallas is now prioritizing wins over future development, especially with the defensive void left by the Parsons trade in the preseason.

Dallas has allowed 44 points twice this season and has a -4 point differential through eight games. A pass rush upgrade is urgent, especially on the road, where the Cowboys are 1-4 compared to their 2-0-1 home record at AT&T Stadium.

Executive Vice President Stephen Jones has indicated readiness to perform a player substitution for the selection if the value is true. Dallas won’t mortgage premium draft capital, but moving Smith could help facilitate a deal for an immediate contributor without touching higher picks.

The Cowboys have built an intriguing offense around Dak Prescott throwing to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but the defense needs to be strengthened to maximize their playoff window. Landing the veteran rusher could stabilize a unit that has been dominant at home but leaky on the road.

With six division games still on the schedule and Philadelphia leading the NFC East at 6-2, the Cowboys are treating this deadline as a time to reset. If they find the right defensive piece before Tuesday, they can still make some noise in the playoff race.

Dallas hosts the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football at 20:15 ET, looking to build momentum before the deadline. The clock is ticking on the Cowboys to turn their midseason struggles into something meaningful, and whether Smith is moved and who comes in return will define how seriously this team thinks it is about competing in 2025.