3 Dallas Cowboys Dream Trade Targets Ahead of Camp + Tyron Smith Last Year???

The biggest move this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t a free agent addition, a trade piece or a draft pick. Sure, they did well in adding talent on the open market and the draft this year but that’s not where we will see the most change for this team in the 2020 NFL season. Instead, that change is going to come on the sidelines as they decided to move on from head coach Jason Garrett after 10 seasons — and three before that as the offensive coordinator. Garrett entered 2019 as a lame-duck coach with a talented roster but no security and everyone who was paying attention could see he was on the way out. Everyone, that is, except for Garrett. Defiant to the end, Garrett remained at the team’s facility while the front office interviewed his replacement. In the end, they went with Mike McCarthy and Garrett finally moved on. McCarthy, the former head coach of the Green Bay Packers, won a Super Bowl in AT&T Stadium and now hopes to find even more success there. He has the roster to get it done as the Cowboys have Pro Bowl players on both sides of the ball. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Jaylon Smith are just some of the stars who are being joined by a great rookie class led by CeeDee Lamb. Dallas could be fielding one of their best rosters in years but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t stand to add more talent before starting training camp. If they were in the market for help, they could look for one of these three dreams fits via trade. The unknowns surrounding the 2020 NFL season could have a trickle effect into 2021 and quite possibly beyond. That trickle effect could have a huge impact on teams' future plans, which might force their hand into making a move they wouldn’t have otherwise. For the Dallas Cowboys, that move could quite possibly be the release of their All-Pro Left Tackle Tyron Smith. I know it’s a little odd to think about, let alone discuss, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility 2020 could be Tyron Smith’s last season with the Dallas Cowboys. I’m fully aware he has four years remaining on his current contract and it’s a team-friendly deal – he’s currently the 10th highest paid LT – but his release would give the Cowboys nearly $9 million in salary cap relief. Now, before I take this any further let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am in no way trying to toss Tyron Smith out the door. He is still playing at a really high level, despite missing a few games a year the past few seasons. His value as Dak Prescott‘s blindside protector shouldn’t be undervalued. He still one of the best in the game, however, that doesn’t mean he’s untouchable. Unfortunately, Tyron Smith’s fate could be tied to the Coronavirus pandemic. There’s a chance the Coronavirus could have a huge impact on the amount of revenue the NFL is able to produce in 2020. That could lessen the amount of the 2021 salary-cap teams around the league will have to abide by. That could put certain players heads on the chopping block, like Tyron Smith. Despite arguably still being one of the best left tackles in the league, Tyron Smith’s future with the Cowboys could be coming to an end sooner than later. He still just 29 – turns 30 December 12, 2020 – but there comes a point in time where age becomes irrelevant and bodies start to break down for professional athletes. For Smith, that could already be happening. I hate to say it or even think it, but it might be time for the Dallas Cowboys to start thinking about replacing No. 77. It really hasn’t been plausible before now due to the dead money they’d have to absorb, but that won’t be the case any longer after the 2020 season. They’d actually save $10.5 million with just $1,745,000 in dead money if they make him a 2021 pre-June cut. There is a problem with this way of thinking though. The Dallas Cowboys don’t currently have Tyron Smith’s replacement on the roster. Considering how highly valued the position is and where the Cowboys are projected to draft in 2021 (mid to late 20s) finding a suitable replacement won’t be easy. So, all of this talk may be much ado about nothing. The only reason I brought all of this up is because I think it’s something to keep an eye on throughout the 2020 season. If Tyron Smith’s injuries continue to be a problem or if the pandemic hits the NFL hard, Smith could very well find his job in jeopardy.