The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been the shrewdest of organizations over the last several years, particularly when it comes to the trade market — a fact shown starkly when contrasting their biggest moves against the deal the Washington Commanders just made to land former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington sent San Francisco a fifth-round pick for Samuel on Saturday, March 1. He will play next season at 29 years old and has amassed 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 1,143 rushing yards and 20 scores across his six-year NFL career.
The Commanders now have the one-two pass-catching punch of Terry McLaurin and Samuel to serve as targets for star rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who led the team to the NFC Championship game in January.
Dallas, on the other hand, has made two meaningful trades involving receivers in the past three years and clearly lost both of them.
The Cowboys sent Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in 2022 for a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick swap. Cooper went on to tally 2,660 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 38 games played, while also making a Pro Bowl, before Cleveland shipped him and a sixth-rounder to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for third- and seventh-round picks.
Then, just ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, Dallas surrendered a fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for wideout Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round selection. Mingo caught just 5 passes for 46 yards and failed to find the end zone in eight appearances for the Cowboys.
Jones caught a good deal of criticism from fans and analysts alike following that head-scratching deal, which has proved to be a bust — at least in terms of immediate results. After Washington’s trade for Samuel on Saturday, the harsh characterizations of Jones and the Cowboys renewed on social media.
“Just a reminder that Jerry Jones gave up a FOURTH-ROUND PICK for Jonathan Mingo,” one person posted to X. “The Commanders just got DEEBO SAMUEL for a FIFTH.”
“Jerry Jones needs to stop trading picks for players ,” another X user wrote . “Deebo Samuel for a 5th. Jonathan Mingo for a 4th. I don’t care how much money the Commanders are taking on. The talent acquisition speaks for itself. Do better Jerry.”
“Jerry Jones and the Cowboys,” the Sportskeeda Pro Football X account added. “Make it make sense.”