As the Nov. 4 trade deadline draws nearer and nearer, the question of whether or not the Dallas Cowboys will make any moves of note will be answered soon. If they do add, it’ll of course surely be on defense, aiding a unit that has struggled in every conceivable category through eight weeks. 

So, while players’ attention is rightly set on the Week 9 matchup vs the Arizona Cardinals, the fanbase’s attention has turned toward speculation about who specifically the team might add. We talked about specific running backs that the team could target, but it seems like that has become an afterthought for the front office. 

Jon Machota at The Athletic (subscription required) put together a nice list of names that the team could be looking at, as well as reminding us of a recent quote from Stephen Jones about trade possibilities:

“We’re extensively working on, as we are today, trades,” he said. “It takes two to trade. You don’t ever want to trade for the sake of just saying, ‘Hey, we made a trade.’ If we can find players that make us better and the deal is right, then we’re always up for that. (Jerry Jones has) that in his blood. He likes to trade. He likes to do deals. … I will say this, there’s certainly interesting things that are out there as we head down to the wire.”

With that half answer in mind, let’s take a look at some of the names Machota mentions:

Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders

This seems like the longest of long shots to me. There seems to be little interest on the Raiders side of things here and, while Dallas could make them an offer they can’t refuse, that seems like poor asset management for a team that’s not going anywhere this season. 

Trey Hendrickson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals

Take most of what we said about Crosby and use it for Hendrickson here. While there seems to be more willingness on the Bengals’ side, that’s because, unlike Crosby, Hendrickson is a free agent at the end of the year. If Dallas wants to add him, they could do so in the offseason as a free agent. 

Bradley Chubb, DE, Miami Dolphins

This seems like the best combo of effectiveness, team control, and cost. Chubb has two years left on his deal and, while not at the level of the two previous names on this list, is only two years removed from an 11-sack season. He should cost no more than a third-round pick and is on a soon to be rebuilding team motivated to move him. 

Logan Wilson, LB, Bengals

After Jerry Jones criticized the linebackers on his team in the leadup to the Cardinals game, it seems clear that this is a position the team will target either now or in the offseason. It’s worth noting that Wilson has recently requested a trade from the Bengals.

Demario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints

One of the locker room leaders in NOLA, it would be hard to envision the team moving the 36-year-old. But if he’s available for a reasonable price, he would be a fantastic bridge the next few years to whichever young player Dallas brings in during the offseason.

So, there we have it, a quick look at a few names that have been connected to the Cowboys the last month or so. Who knows what Stephen Jones meant by his “interesting things” comments but as always, I’m sure Jerry Jones will make sure that the deadline isn’t boring.