The Dallas Cowboys appear to need all the help they can get on defense. That’s especially the case if they want to quickly revitalize the unit and push for a playoff berth this fall. One way the Cowboys could do that would be to trade draft capital for another veteran starter such as Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore.
On Tuesday, CBS Sports’s John Breech proposed the Cowboys acquire Moore from the Colts for a 2026 fifth-round pick.
“The Cowboys have beefed up their secondary this offseason with the additions of safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, but they still need some help in the nickel spot. Moore, who has already requested a trade, wants out of Indianapolis, so the Cowboys should be able to buy low here,” wrote Breech.
“The Cowboys defense gave up the most passing yards in the NFL last year, so they need to do anything they can to improve the unit, especially in the secondary. The Cowboys have three picks in the fifth round, so they can certainly afford to send one to Indy for Moore.”
Moore is a potential quick fix for the Cowboys secondary. In nine seasons with the Colts, Moore has been an above average to elite slot cornerback.
During 2021, he made the Pro Bowl with a career-high 102 combined tackles and four interceptions.
Last season, Moore had 55 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six pass defenses and one interception.
Veteran CB Kenny Moore Requested Trade From Colts
GettyCornerback Kenny Moore has played nine seasons for the Indianapolis Colts.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported April 10 the Colts and Moore essentially agreed to mutually part ways this offseason.
Indianapolis, though, hasn’t released the cornerback. Instead, the team is searching for a trade partner, as Moore prepares to enter the final year of his contract.
“It’s all good. It’s all love,” Moore said in a text to ESPN’s Stephen Holder.
Moore, who will turn 31 years old in August, saw his playing time decrease last season. He started just half of his 14 games and played 76% of the team’s defensive snaps in his appearances.
From 2018-24, Moore played at least 92% of the team’s defensive snaps every season.
Moore will likely land with a team that’s going to play him more often in 2025 and potentially give him an extension on his contract.
The Colts own Moore a $10 million base salary for the 2026 campaign. The team would save a little more than $7 million against the cap if it trades Moore before June 1.
Obviously, the Colts have to trade Moore this week to land 2026 NFL Draft capital for the defensive back.
How Moore Could Fit With the Cowboys
GettyCBS Sports’s John Breech proposed the Dallas Cowboys acquire cornerback Kenny Moore in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts.
Interestingly, the Colts would save more against the salary cap if they dealt Moore after June 1. According to Over the Cap, the team would save $9.91 million with a post-June 1 trade or release.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard indicated Monday the team could also still release Moore if they don’t find a trade partner.
It’s worth wondering, then, if the Cowboys might just wait out the Moore situation and hope he becomes a free agent. That would allow Dallas to keep its draft capital and sign Moore to a more suitable deal rather than be tied to the last year of his current contract.
But if Dallas finds the addition of Moore necessary enough, a trade for a fifth-round pick should be on the table.
The Cowboys were last in points allowed and pass defense last season. They were also 31st in passing touchdowns yielded, 30th in yards allowed and 29th in interceptions.
Moore is a short-term solution but could offer a veteran upgrade to a defense that appears to have too many other needs to prioritize slot cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cowboys Predicted to Make 2026 NFL Draft Trade to Help Fix Defense