3 Dallas Cowboys that could be traded if they tank in 2022
By Randy Gurzi
The Dallas Cowboys are built to win now but if things fall apart in 2022, these three players could be traded as they try and rebuild
2022 could be a big season for the Dallas Cowboys — or at least, it should be.
They’re fresh off a 12-win season but lost in the first round of the playoffs. With it now being the third season with Mike McCarthy as the head coach, they’re expecting much bigger things.
But if they don’t succeed, they could be in a tough spot when it comes to the salary cap. That’s why they might be willing to trade these three players and start over should they tank in 2022.
Dallas Cowboys trade block No. 3: Tyron Smith, LT
Tyron Smith is still one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL — when he plays. But the problem is, he never makes it through an entire season.
Smith hasn’t played through a full season since the 2015 season and missed six games this past year. That was after he missed 14 in 2020.
Understanding he has issues staying on the field, the Cowboys added Tyler Smith out of Tulsa in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ideally, the younger Smith is going to play left guard until Tyron Smith can no longer go — then they will make a swap of Smith’s, going with Tyler as the bookend.
Of course, a porous season in 2022 could change all that.
Should the Cowboys fall apart, they would likely be willing to see if an offensive line-needy team would be willing to give something up for Smith —‚ who is still in his early 30s and could play for several more years.
Such a move could save Dallas anywhere from $9 million to $13.6 million, depending on how his trade is designated.