Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads. With their 2024 roster facing several issues, a trade could help bolster their playoff push. However, with Jerry Jones running the show, inaction is often the more likely path. Despite this, there’s one glaring issue the Cowboys could address before the deadline: their struggling defensive line.
Currently ranked 17th in the league with an average of 2.3 sacks per game, the Cowboys’ pass rush hasn’t been effective. Worse yet, their run defense ranks 27th, allowing 859 rushing yards this season. Injuries have also taken a toll on their defensive front, with key players like DeMarcus Lawrence and rookie Marshawn Kneeland sidelined.
Enter Dominique Robinson. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are exploring trade options for the young pass rusher, who could benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. Fowler noted that the Cowboys, among other teams, could use help at the position.
Robinson, a 2022 fifth-round pick, offers intriguing upside. A former wide receiver at Miami (Ohio), Robinson transitioned to pass rusher and boasts impressive athleticism. He’s shown flashes of potential despite limited experience, described by NFL.com as a “wideout turned quarterback hunter” with the tools to develop into a productive edge rusher.
While Robinson’s long-term potential is evident, the Cowboys’ current needs are more immediate. Injuries to Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Marshawn Kneeland have thinned their ranks at defensive end, and it remains to be seen whether Robinson would be the right fit for a team looking to win now. Adding a player like Robinson could help shore up the Cowboys’ defense, but with Jerry Jones at the helm, the question remains whether Dallas will make any moves at all.
With the clock ticking toward the trade deadline, the Cowboys’ actions, or lack thereof, will reveal whether they’re truly committed to contending this season.
