NFL free agency has passed through its first major wave, meaning the end of the league’s first major roster constructing phase of the offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys did not operate much outside their existing norms. However, they acted on re-signing Osa Odighizuwa before a rush to retain some ancillary pieces while filling some minor holes across the roster.
Yet, the second phase awaits the Cowboys and 31 other teams in April when the NFL Draft kicks off. That period will be dominated by franchises acquiring their next foundational building blocks.
For the Cowboys, it will be a crucial time. Following free agency, the Cowboys are still without a solid No. 2 wide receiver, have a questionable offensive line and a secondary with its own uncertain outlook.
They hold the No. 12 pick in the first round and a deep draft will have them positioned to select an immediate contributor early on.
But what if the Cowboys expand their process and take a gamble with a trade? Bryan Broaddus, a former NFL scout and pundit on the team’s flagship station, 105.3 The Fan, suggested a trade for superstar prospect Travis Hunter.
Hunter is arguably the most uniquely gifted prospect in years, able to play both wide receiver and cornerback at an elite level.
The Heisman Trophy winner took a slide in Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, drifting down to No. 5 where they have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking him. Broaddus believes a trade of Dallas’ pick at No. 12 plus their second- and fifth-round picks this season would launch them into position to take Hunter should he drop to five.
Such a move would undoubtedly steal the spotlight on draft night, so there’s a lot to unpack with this proposal.
A Hunter trade would only happen on draft night. Hunter has been slotted at the higher ranking of the top five in most projections, so one model predicting him at No. 5 is certainly no guarantee.
Assuming that does happen, there is some rationale from both sides that would make this trade an enticing venture. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones does not shy away from stars, even when his team struggles to extend them in a timely fashion.
There are plenty of gripes to be had with this Cowboys roster but they have the pieces in place to make noise among the contending elite with Hunter on their squad. Those picks in later round likely would not make up for a player of his caliber.
Conversely, the Jaguars are not built that way and new head coach Liam Coen needs picks to facilitate a semi rebuild in Duval County. Hunter would assuredly be a star for them, but the ability to trade down and add draft capital would be hard to pass on.
It is a tempting idea for the Cowboys who are looking for a spark as they reload for the 2025 season. If they want to hop on the fast track to that achievement, Hunter is the exact player they should target.
