As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for rookie minicamp, they still have roster holes to fill. Well documented this offseason, the linebacker position finally has bodies, but the organization likely has reservations about entering the year with this group as currently constituted.
They also have issues with depth at wide receiver and potentially running back, depending on how the staff feels about the small sample sizes turned in by the options behind starter Javonte Williams. There’s a ton of potential in Ryan Flournoy as the third WR behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but the remaining players on the depth chart haven’t shown they can be consistent receivers.
With teams around the NFL evaluating their rosters now that draft hauls have been completed, players could find themselves either on the trade market or eventually as candidates to be released. Dallas has an opportunity to get these players at a discount for two reasons. First, the rookies they’ve drafted are pushing players off rosters. Second, frustration with the players, whether due to injury or poor performance.
The Cowboys have taken advantage of such situations in the past, most recently to acquire Pickens from the Steelers. Here are four such players who could be on their team’s roster bubble but who the Cowboys have shown interest in in the past.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks
The Brooks-Cowboys connection has been well documented, but Dallas has yet to trade for the 2025 First-team All-Pro. But after the Dolphins drafted linebackers Jacob Rodriguez (second round) and Kyle Louis (fourth round), Miami may now be more motivated to move on from Brooks. Rodriguez and Louis have a similar play style to Brooks, and come at a lower price than Brook would cost the team.
Dallas adding Brooks gives them a top-tier middle linebacker who can wear the green dot and lead a young linebacker group.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Junior Colson
This one was floated by SI.com’s Chris Roling, who covers the Chargers. He suggests that Colson is a player who could end up as an odd man out in Los Angeles. Colson’s tenure after joining the Chargers in 2024 has been underwhelming. He was highly regarded in his draft class, but injuries have derailed his progress and depth at the position gives the Chargers the flexibility to move on from Colson.
Dallas would have an interest in Colson. Back in 2024, he was one of their 30 visits ahead of the draft, and the Cowboys tend to lean towards the players they thought highly of when shopping in free agency and trades. Were Colson to be available, Dallas would be adding an athletic linebacker with green dot experience, but more importantly, a player younger than Brooks.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman
Tillman is another player whose career has been derailed by injuries, and a player the Cowboys worked out and liked coming out of college. The missed time has pushed him down the depth chart in Cleveland. Now with a new head coach and the Browns’ making Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion a first-round pick, Tillman could be out of the snap rotation.
The Cowboys liked Tillman for his size, speed, and ability to play both on the outside and in the slot. Dallas is drawn towards players with that inside/outside flexibility.
New Orleans Saints running back Kendrick Miller
The final player on this list is another player the Cowboys had in for an official 30-visit. Miller was an explosive player in the passing and running game coming out of college. But he hasn’t been able to show off those skills thanks to injuries and the talent ahead of him on the depth chart. His limited snaps came at times when he was the next man up. Now, the Saints have signed Travis Etienne Jr, and somewhat surprisingly held on to high-cost veteran Alvin Kamara. Miller, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is on the outside looking in.
Expected to be ready for the season, if the Cowboys check him out and like his recovery timeframe, they could get Miller relatively cheaply. Dallas needs someone in their price range who they believe can push Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah.
Outside of Brooks, each of these names comes with injury concerns, but we’ve seen Dallas take chances on risky players in the past, and it’s worked out well for them in the long run. Their current starter at running back, Williams, came with concerns over his ACL injury that hampered him in Denver. A change in scenery helped Williams and could help these players extend their careers, too.
The Cowboys believe they have one of the best medical staffs in the league, and if they can mitigate those injury concerns and fit schematically, then trading for these players could end up working out for both parties.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 4 trade candidates for Cowboys who they’ve shown interest in before