The guy with the longest contract with the Dallas Cowboys could be a trade candidate.According to Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network, DeMarcus Lawrence, a defensive end with the Cowboys, is Dallas’ “top” trade candidate for this season. As DiBona notes, Lawrence, a member of the Cowboys since 2014, is about to enter the last year of a three-year, $40 million contract.
DiBona says, “DeMarcus Lawrence isn’t getting any younger and is heading into the final year of his three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, while Micah Parsons is clearly a foundational piece on the edge for the team.” By moving Lawrence, Dallas might really save $10 million, giving their young pass rushers more opportunities. In the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Dallas selected Marshawn Kneeland, possibly indicating the end of Lawrence’s career.
Despite his recent selection to his fourth Pro Bowl and his second consecutive Pro Bowl, 32-year-old Lawrence is still performing at a high level. He finished the season with 50 tackles, four sacks, and a career-best six pass deflections. The advanced analytics present a different image than the individual data, which don’t seem all that great.
How well rookie Marshawn Kneeland performs in his first season will play a significant influence in whether or not the Cowboys actually pursue a trade involving Lawrence. Dallas has high expectations for Kneeland, who was chosen with a second-round choice (No. 56 overall) in this year’s draft, particularly in light of Williams’ injury.
