Zack Martin and 3 players Cowboys should trade after season-defining loss

With a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys can likely go ahead and kiss a fourth consecutive trip to the postseason goodbye.

And Mike McCarthy, who threw an ugly temper tantrum in the first half, should probably go ahead and start getting the resume ready. Jerry Jones doesn't have the guts to fire him during the season, but there's no way McCarthy survives more than a day or two once this disappointing campaign concludes.

And make no mistake about it; this is only going to get worse, especially if Dak Prescott's hamstring injury keeps him out of action. From what he said about it afterward, it sounds like that will be the case. CeeDee Lamb's shoulder shouldn't be ignored, either.

The loss against the Falcons was the third straight for America's Team, and it wouldn't be shocking in the slightest if they lose their next three as well, as their upcoming schedule features games against the Philadelphia Eagles, the AFC South-leading Houston Texans, and the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders.

Simply put, the Cowboys' 2024 season is essentially over. Sure, getting Micah Parsons back will help. But he won't fix all the problems Dallas has on defense. And even if Prescott and Lamb were healthy, it's not as if the offense is overly threatening at this point.

As such, it's time for Jones to face reality and start looking toward next season. And with Tuesday's NFL trade deadline looming, the process needs to begin immediately. It's not as if Jones was likely to be a buyer anyway, as he had several opportunities to improve this team over the last few weeks and failed to do so. So, it's time for the Cowboys to turn into sellers and start stockpiling draft picks.

Jones was famously stagnant this past offseason in regards to signing free agents, and that'll likely be the case again this spring as the priority will have to be paying Parsons. So, it's time to start unloading players to pick up some draft capital.

As we specifically targeted some potential destinations for Trey Lance recently, we won't repeat ourselves here. And while most would love to see Ezekiel Elliott shipped out of town, there likely isn't much of a market for him right now, given his recent issues.

Those two aside, there are still four others Jones could deal over the next couple of days, starting with a future Hall of Famer.

4 Cowboys who should be traded before NFL trade deadline

Zack Martin

lt's never easy parting ways with a franchise legend, but the Cowboys need to go ahead and do so with future Hall of Famer Zack Martin.

Offensive line help is always needed, and several teams would likely be interested in Martin's services. While obviously not the player he once was, he's still among the best guards in football and could get Dallas some solid draft capital in return.

While Martin is technically signed through next season, there's no guarantee that he would even play the final year of his reworked contract, as there's a possibility he will retire. Jones would be best suited to just go ahead and get something for him.

DeMarcus Lawrence

The issue with DeMarcus Lawrence, of course, is that he's been on injured reserve with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, which he suffered in the Cowboys' Week 4 win over the New York Giants on September 26.

However, as the recovery time was expected to be somewhere between four and eight weeks, he should be back in action soon. But even if Lawrence can't play right away, he'd undoubtedly help some contender out down the stretch.

With Jones having to pay Parsons this upcoming season, it's likely that he won't be able to bring back Lawrence, who is in the final season of the three-year, $40 million deal he signed ahead of the 2022 season. So, again, Jones might as well get something for him.

Eric Kendricks

Also on an expiring contract is linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was one of the few free agents Jones signed this past offseason.

Like solid veteran offensive linemen like Martin, solid veteran defenders like Kendricks hold plenty of value at the trade deadline, and Dallas shouldn't have any problem finding a buyer for the 32-year-old, who was dealing with some shoulder issues in recent weeks but did suit up against Atlanta and led the team with nine tackles.

Jourdan Lewis

ln the absence of Parsons, Lawrence, DaRon Bland, and several other Dallas defenders in recent weeks, cornerback Jourdan Lewis has essentially stepped up and become the leader of the unit.

He's one of the few Cowboys who's been able to effectively stop the run, and, for the most part, he's been strong in pass coverage as well, which is why it was so disheartening when he left Sunday's game after taking a hit to the midsection.

Thankfully, he was able to return and ultimately recorded six tackles. Lewis received just a one-year contract back in March, so he's also set to hit free agency this spring. There's no need to say it again, but we will anyway. With the Cowboys' season in disarray, Jones might as well get something for him.

Quality cornerback play is normally hard to come by at the deadline. Lewis could fetch something of value for the Cowboys.