The Dallas Cowboys may feel the need to trade their star player, Osa Odighizuwa, to the San Francisco 49ers. But that decision might come back to haunt them, as the franchise desperately needs quality defense.

While speaking to reporters, general manager Jerry Jones gave this worrying trade decision a positive spin, emphasizing the financial side.

“We needed to spread it around a little bit on what we have available to us with (the salary cap). More importantly, we can put it in some places that probably get more mileage out of what it’s done,” Jones said.

While the Cowboys traded a team captain and a defensive tackle, they did receive a third-round pick in exchange for the defensive tackle, but the worrying note is how they will spend that third-round pick and what they might get. 

Jones also seems to have this third-round draft pick in his mind, which could have been a deciding factor in the Odighizuwa trade.

"We’ve got two outstanding football players (Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark), we have other backup players, plus we don’t want to rule out drafting a player. So we thought that was the best move (trading Odighizuwa).” 

Odighizuwa rejected the Washington Commanders last year, even after being offered more money. He stuck with the Cowboys and played 84 games as a defensive tackle, making 115 solo out of 216 total.

The Cowboys will likely use that third-round pick to draft a defensive player, but questions still linger about this decision. 

How can Dallas Use This Third-Round Pick Wisely?

After trading the defensive tackle, Osa Odighizuwa, away to the Bay Area. Dallas now holds the 92nd pick in round three of the NFL Draft.

The biggest problem is still the linebacker position, and Dallas will more than likely use their pick on this position. 

Two names that the Cowboys could look at are Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher and Josiah Trotter of Missouri. The third round is where analysts project both linebackers will be selected.

As per CBS’ mock draft by Josh Edwards, Trotter is set to go as the 83rd overall pick, and as per the mock draft conducted by the NFL, Boettcher is set to go as the 94th overall pick. 

The Oregon native Boettcher has had 269 career tackles, 9 passes defensed, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. 

Trotter has played for two years in college, splitting his time between West Virginia University (WVU) and Missouri. In his career, the linebacker has had 177 total tackles, 3 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception. 

Both of these players could be serious options, but Boettcher might go earlier in round three, Edwards believes.

Whom do you think the Cowboys should go for? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Sayantan Gayen