The Dallas Cowboys could look at a Morris Claiborne trade this offseason after the team picked Byron Jones in the draft, as he could start for the team if they release Brandon Carr and this comes as the team may consider Chris Johnson as a free agent option and as Dez Bryant may consider a contract holdout in training camp if he isn't signed long term.
The Cowboys picked Jones in the first round and he is considered to be one of the best cornerbacks coming out of college this year. Jones should get the chance to start if he performs well in training camp, as the secondary is a bit weak for the Cowboys after the way they played last season. According to the Dallas Morning News, the team did not pick up the fifth year option on Morris Claiborne and that could signal that the team is ready to move on.
The Cowboys gave up a lot for Claiborne and now he could be on his way out of Dallas. The report says that Claiborne could stick with the team another year and then leave as a free agent, but it also speculated that a trade could be an option. According to ESPN Dallas, the Cowboys are trying to figure out the best way to deal with Brandon Carr and his contract situation and moving Claiborne is a possible domino in all of that. The Cowboys could get rid of Carr by cutting him, but that would save money in the short term and leave some dead money on the cap.
Carr has been on the bubble all offseason, but there is a good chance he ends up staying in Dallas, but likely on a contract worth less money. According to Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas, Carr could end up staying on the roster this year, but he likely will be asked to take a pay cut before the regular season starts. Carr is making $8 million this season and that is a ton and Archer writes that the team could make cap space by cutting him as a post-June 1 cut.
Adding Jones helps the Cowboys work things out, as they could deal with losing either Carr or Claiborne. While that is not ideal, as that would leave a gap in the secondary, the team has other players they can look at if they decide to move on, including undrafted free agents Joel Ross from Appalachian State and Jason Wilson from Central Michigan. The moves are unlikely now, but adding Jones gives the team the chance to at least consider the moves.
Claiborne was mentioned in trade rumors last year and he has been mostly a disappointment for the Cowboys. Bryant is coming in after getting hit with the franchise tag and Archer writes that he expects him to play on a one year deal. Stephen Jones has said that signing Bryant is a "priority" and that the team wants to work out a long term deal. Archer writes that a holdout could be an option for Bryant and while he likely will show up eventually, he could hold until the last second to see if the Cowboys will relent and sign him long term now after another huge season.
