Cornerback is a massive need for the Dallas Cowboys going into the 2025 NFL Draft. The front office made a competitive offer to Jourdan Lewis in free agency, but the Jaguars made him the then-highest-paid nickel in the league.
It can't be understated how big of a loss Lewis is. While an unsung member of the defense, he was the heartbeat of the secondary. He played with an edge that his teammates tried to emulate and he was just as impactful in coverage as he was defending the run.
In addition, Trevon Diggs is expected to miss the start of the season as he recovers from his second knee surgery in as many years. The same goes for Josh Butler, whose late-season breakout ended in harrowing fashion when he tore his ACL in Week 13.
With that in mind, you can expect Dallas to be connected to Jalen Ramsey, who is on the trade block following a mutual agreement with the Dolphins' front office.
Ramsey would plug a hole, but Jane Slater of NFL Network doesn't see anything materializing for obvious reasons.
Don't count on the Cowboys to trade for Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey
For those asking me, remember the Jalen Ramsey Zeke trade drama or his evaluation of Dak? Also Cowboys don’t even know his agents name. I mean crazier things have happened but not sure this would happen in Dallas. https://t.co/OpeKGQXwSC
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) April 15, 2025
That sounds about right.
For those curious, yes, the Cowboys know the name of Ramsey's agent. It's David Mulugheta, who represents Micah Parsons and is currently negotiating with Dallas. Jerry Jones is famously on the record pretending he didn't know Mulugheta's name.
Cowboys fans would normally rag on Jones for turning his nose up at a marquee player, but there is nothing wrong with Dallas sitting this one out.
A $4 million roster bonus in his contract was already triggered, but the Cowboys would still be on the hook for $21 million this season.
The former top-five pick is signed through 2028 and his contract is movable after 2025. However, he has cap hits of at least $25 million in each of the next three seasons.
The Cowboys already have a lot of money tied up in Trevon Diggs and odds are they want to pay DaRon Bland. There is also the fact that Ramsey is very outspoken. It is fair to wonder if he's the best fit for a locker room that has undergone a change in leadership on the defensive side.
Ramsey is an awesome player who doesn't get enough credit for his ability to defend the run, but the fit and money do not add up from a Dallas perspective.
