I’m a person who likes to think outside of the box. A lot of times it comes to nothing, but it was that kind of thought process that got me thinking about whether or not the Dallas Cowboys could work out a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for their disgruntled defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
As things stand right now, Aaron Donald and the LA Rams are at a stalemate in their contracts talks and it’s starting to look as if the All-Pro DT could carry his holdout into the season. It’s probably not what either party wants to happen, but Donald is using the only leverage he has right now to try to get a contract extension.
This entire situation may be even more concerning to the Rams organization because Aaron Donald is arguably the best player they currently have on the roster. But, they don’t really know yet how he fits into Wade Phillips new 3-4 defensive scheme since he has missed the entire off-season so far.
You see, Aaron Donald is really better suited to play in a 4-3 defensive scheme as an under tackle or 3-technique, where he can use his speed and agility to his advantage. He is a little undersized (6’1″, 280) to be in every down defensive tackle in Phillips’ defensive scheme, but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the crafty defensive coordinator has a special way in mind to utilize Donald’s unique skill set. But, that still remains unknown.
So, with Aaron Donald being unhappy with his current contract situation and not really knowing how he fits into the new 3-4 defensive scheme the Rams have gone to this season, could this workout to the Cowboys advantage?
The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need to upgrade their pass rush this season. All of Cowboys Nation knows what their holdovers are capable of, but there is some unknown about the young talent they have. Regardless, Aaron Donald would be a tremendous addition and would instantly upgrade the entire defensive line.
Can you imagine having Aaron Donald and Maliek Collins playing next to each other and the havoc they would inflict to the middle of opposing offensive lines? It would be absolutely insane and would make it extremely difficult for QBs to get comfortable on the pocket. And it would also create more favorable matchups for whichever defensive ends are on the field at the time.
Now that I have the majority of you drooling or on Cloud 9 thinking about the pairing of Donald and Collins on the same defensive line, let’s come back down to earth to look at how realistic this possible acquisition would be. Brace yourselves, because it’s not pretty, but it is possibly doable.
Aaron Donald is wanting to be paid like one of the best DTs in the NFL. That would mean he could be looking at a contract similar to Ndamukong Suh, who signed a six-year, $114 million contract with $60 million guaranteed with the Miami Dolphins back in 2015. Unfortunately for Donald, that’s an insane amount guaranteed of money for a DT and it’s just silly to think any team can or will offer that kind of contract.
Realistically, Aaron Donald is probably looking at a contract that would pay him at least $20 million a year and somewhere in the ballpark of $45-$50 million guaranteed. That’s a big chunk of change for an undersized DT, but that’s likely the going rate for someone who is as disruptive and young as Donald.
Okay, this is where reality sets in. The Dallas Cowboys can’t afford that kind of contract right now if they plan on re-signing there All-Pro offensive guard Zack Martin. That would indicate that Aaron Donald is currently out of contention to even be considered as a trade candidate. But, it is possibly doable to sign both Martin and trade/sign Aaron Donald to a contract extension.
There’s no doubt it would take some creative finagling for all of this to happen, but like I said I’m an outside the box thinker.
First, the Cowboys would have to workout a trade with the Rams and that would likely require at least a couple first-round draft picks. Then, they would have to create some cap relief this season to fit Donald under the salary cap. Finally, they would have to convince Donald that they will take care of him next off-season. They could do this by dumping some bad contracts (Tyrone Crawford and Cedric Thornton) and moving around money.
That’s just a brief example of all the things that would have to be done in order to trade and extend Aaron Donald’s contract to make him a Dallas Cowboy. There is much more involved, but it gives you an idea. It’s highly unlikely and probably impossible this will ever happen, but it’s definitely fun to think about.
Aaron Donald is an outstanding player and one of the best in the NFL at disrupting and sacking the QB. In just three short seasons in the NFL, he has amazingly amassed 28 QB sacks. That’s an average of about nine a season as an interior defensive lineman. There are simply no words how impressive that is and how much it would improve the Cowboys defense.
Of course, this is probably just a dream and will likely never become reality. But, if Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys think it could be pulled off, I would absolutely be on board with everything it would take to put a star on Donald’s helmet.
the price is steep but i believe i’d be on board for this. losing first round picks are ok for two reasons, you’re getting a first round pick-caliber player and in optimistic speculation the cowboys will be picking in the lower portion of the first round for the next few years anyway.
The Cowboys would definitely be giving up a lot, which is why this is probably unlikely to ever happen. But, like you said they will more than likely be drafted towards the end of each round and most of those players are usually second round graded fringe players anyway. Much like Taco Charlton was this year.
Maliek Collins is looking like a stud himself at the 3-tech. If you get Donald, you just stopped Collins’ progress and went from a cheap younger player to an expensive player in his prime. Since the Boys still have to get Martin signed, I highly doubt this is doable for cap reasons only. The difference between Collins and Donald aren’t enough for the huge difference in pay it will cost.
You can play Collins at the 1-Tech and Donald at the 3-Tech.
Somebody sounds excited about Madden coming out this week lol This would only happen on a video game
I don’t even play Madden ha ha. It’s nearly impossible to probably pull off this trade scenario, but it is doable. The Cowboys are probably going to be picking at the end of the first round for the next few seasons and the players you can get there are usually second round graded fringe players anyway. Much like Taco Charlton this year. I don’t ever see it happening, but the addition of Aaron Donald would vastly improve the defense.
Brian, Brian….I’m so disappointed. Had I not read the byline I would have thought Carl Daley wrote this. Go watch the eclipse.
It was just a hypothetical trade scenario. Obviously it was more for fun than seriousness. It is possible such a trade could go down, although it is extremely unlikely it will ever happen or even be discussed.
Collins better value and less headache than Donald. even if hypo, I’d say pass.
That’s true, but Collins could slide over to the 1-tech and be just as dominant. Especially if Aaron Donald was playing next to him.
It’d be worth it plus Donald coming to Dallas with no state income tax
It’s an enticing trade scenario for all parties involved, but unfortunately it’s probably just a dream.
Definitely would not bail the Rams out with any #1 picks – not even 1. Make them take a hit for not being able to re-sign Donald, maybe after he’s proving to them he will boycott the year.
And I can’t blow up my cap for a DT either. You could argue it’s worth it if that player is the missing link for a title, but IMO there is just too much unknown yet on this defense to conclude that.
This defense benefits from a crushing run game that keeps it off the field. It’s not unreasonable to expect it to do the rest – don’t get gashed for big yards and big points.
It should have enough talent right now to accomplish that, similar to last year.
But early this season that will probably be a struggle. The secondary is untested and in flux, and it has a less-than-withering pass rush to help it. You have to get past 4 weeks, get Irving back and see how Taco and Collins are looking.
Early on, I’m bringing the safeties and slot corners more in blitz on long downs. It’s risky but I’m not letting a good QB stand there unmolested, while I try to break in my rookies in the secondary.
While deals like this almost never happen in the NFL, this is a rare time that it’s not a total fantasy. The Rams switching schemes puts them in a bad spot with Donald; his value will never be higher than it is right now. He’s already seen as elite, so there’s nowhere to go but down if he struggles at all with playing in the 3-4.
That could prompt the Rams to act now to get the most for him. The Cowboys picks aren’t going to be the most valuable given what we’re projected to do the next few years, but it really depends on how much the Rams are concerned about Donald’s transition and general displeasure with the franchise.
And if the Cowboys can use Tyrone Crawford, who’s ideal position is as a 3-4 end, to sweeten the pot then that’d be just fine and dandy.
That would be nice, unlikely
I agree it would be highly unlikely to ever happen. But, the longer he continues to hold out, the more the Rams might be willing to move on. The Cowboys were rumored to be set on drafting Aaron Donald in 2014 and I believe they would be really interested if he hits the trade market.