Getty Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks onto the field at an NFL game.
With the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp about to start on July 27, the team has been linked to a hypothetical trade for an Atlanta Falcons star.
In a story about “trades that just make sense,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested that the Cowboys acquire Deion Jones, a linebacker with the Falcons for the past six seasons.
“If the Cowboys are willing to make a trade, Deion Jones of the Atlanta Falcons is a target who makes perfect sense, so long as Dallas is willing to take on some of the $24.9 million in dead money remaining on his contract,” Knox wrote on July 21.
Knox wrote that the Cowboys would need to shell out only a sixth-round pick for the linebacker, which would seem like a steal. Though Jones’ name has been in numerous trade rumors during the offseason, there’s a reason the Falcons haven’t moved him yet.
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Falcons LB Is Currently Recovering
One reason the Cowboys or any NFL team hasn’t made a move toward Jones, a Pro Bowler in 2017, is his questionable health.
On July 22, the Falcons moved him to the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who tweeted a list of 15 players opening camp on the list.
“He can come off at any time between now and camp,” ESPN’s Michael Rothstein tweeted a few minutes later. So the possibility remains that he could be available for some or all of the Falcons’ preseason games and the regular season.
Jones had surgery in May to repair his injured shoulder and would miss all offseason activities leading up to training camp, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said on May 22, according to NFL.com.
NFL insider Ari Meirov added an update about his status on May 26.
“#Falcons LB Deion Jones underwent shoulder surgery and will miss the offseason workout program. Jones carries a large $20M cap number this season and there have been some rumblings about his future in Atlanta,” Meirov tweeted.
So even though Jones was expected to be ready for the season, his trade potential was severely diminished, especially now that he’s on the PUP list.
But is he a fit for the Cowboys? Talent-wise, yes. Price-wise, not so much.
Cowboys Have Cap Space; Jones Is Expensive
Jones is due $14.7 million in salary and roster bonuses this season. But given his health status and the Cowboys’ estimated cap space of $20.1 million, that number looks even larger.
Dallas could afford Jones if they were dead set on him, but they’d be closing the door on any other major signings and could also potentially get in trouble with re-signing current players. $5.4 million would be a small budget to work with during the regular season.
That being said, Jones had 87 tackles in 16 games last year. The former LSU Tiger has somewhat fallen from the national media scope, but he is still a capable starting linebacker in the NFL.
That being said, if Dallas feels the need at linebacker is dire enough, there are few names available that are as talented as Jones is. The Cowboys signed two free agent linebackers, Christian Sam and Malik Jefferson, this offseason, but neither is expected to compete for a starting job.