3 potential trade candidates for the Cowboys entering 2021 training camp

The Dallas Cowboys are looking to bounce back after a rough 2020 season, and here are some trade candidates they can look at with training camp approaching.

The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to enter a crucial season for their franchise. The expectations surrounding America's Team are always high, and the return of star quarterback Dak Prescott will push those expectations into the stratosphere. Team owner Jerry Jones certainly believes that Dallas has a championship-caliber roster, but a couple of trades could go a long way toward making Jerry's belief a reality as training camp approaches.

The Cowboys are weak in several areas, most of which are on the defensive side of the ball. The front office did nothing to immediately improve the cornerback position, bringing back a defensive backfield that was constantly torched last season. Offensive line depth is another area that needs to be looked at, as injuries to that unit crippled the Cowboys' offense last year. Another important position to address is backup quarterback, as last year Dallas was forced to start former seventh-round pick Ben DiNucci during the 2020 season.

Here are three potential trade candidates the Cowboys should be looking at.

Bryce Callahan

The Cowboys did spend some draft capital on this same position, but I don't think Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright will make an instant impact. Callahan is a criminally underrated defensive back who played a crucial role for the Denver Broncos last year. Landing Callahan would be an instant upgrade in the secondary for the Cowboys, as last year's slot cornerback Anthony Brown would mercifully be forced to the bench.

Callahan does primarily play in the slot, but he has shown the ability to match up with bigger receivers down the boundary as well. He was one of Pro Football Focus's top-ranked cornerbacks last year, and while I don't think he belongs in the conversation with the best corners in the league, Callahan is certainly a huge upgrade over every single cornerback currently on the Dallas roster. His presence would allow the Cowboys to deploy Trevon Diggs, Callahan and Jourdan Lewis at corner, a respectable trio of defenders.

The Broncos should be willing to part with Callahan, as their depth at cornerback is insane. After drafting Patrick Surtain II in the first round, Denver has four cornerbacks who will fight for a starting position not including Callahan. A high mid-round pick may be able to get this deal done.

Isaac Seumalo

Admittedly, this trade would be a difficult one to get done. The Cowboys would have to trade with the hated Philadelphia Eagles, but they did show a willingness to do that during the draft. The Eagles just selected center/guard Landon Dickerson in that same draft, making Seumalo expendable. Philly is looking to get younger and cheaper across the board, making this a good deal for both sides.

The Cowboys would acquire some depth on the offensive line with this move, something that they sorely missed last season. Seumalo is a starting-caliber guard who can play center in a pinch, making him a versatile player who can fill in for any injury on the interior of the offensive line. He's also a potential upgrade over starter Connor Williams. Dallas would probably have to part with a third- or fourth-round pick to acquire Seumalo.

Gardner Minshew

The Cowboys currently have the trio of Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci backing up Dak Prescott. None of those guys are NFL-caliber quarterbacks. Two of them will be cut before the season starts, but it would be in the Cowboys' best interest to let all three of them go and trade for a real backup quarterback.

Minshew Mania has run its course in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars know it. First overall pick and generational talent Trevor Lawrence has a stranglehold on the starting quarterback job, and Jacksonville also signed quarterback C.J. Beathard in the offseason. Most NFL teams only carry two active quarterbacks on the roster, so it appears that Minshew is a prime candidate to be traded.

Minshew won't wow anyone with his arm or his athletic talent, but he takes care of the football and keeps his team in the game. If Prescott misses a game in this upcoming season, the Cowboys wouldn't be totally doomed with Minshew at the helm. He would keep Dallas in most games, giving them a chance to win without their star quarterback. Minshew would also be extremely easy to trade for, as a sixth- or seventh-round pick would probably get it done. The Cowboys were forced to start DiNucci in a prime-time game last season, and that's something that Dallas definitely does not want to see again.